Axinella flustra - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Axinella flustra Topsent, 1892

Axinella flustra

Description: This sponge forms flattened blades attached to the substratum by a small stalk and expanded base. The blades are typically wavy or ridged. The surface has a mealy appearance with small oscules and convergent excurrent channels.

Habitat: Found offshore on open exposed coasts in deep water, usually below 35m.

Distribution: Western coasts of Ireland, Aran Islands and Kerry Head shoals. Western English Channel.

Similar Species: Very distinctive. On the French coast Endectyon teissieri has a similar flattened form.

Key Identification Features:

Distinctive stalked flattened shape
Oscules with excurrent channels

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Axinella flustra Topsent, 1892. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C3530 Accessed on 2023-12-07

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