PORIFERA : BUBARIDA : BubaridaeSPONGES

Bubaris vermiculata (Bowerbank, 1862)


Bubaris vermiculata

Description: This a bright red coloured encrusting sponge with a 'bumpy' surface. It often grows in large patches (30cm across) on silty bedrock, usually only the raised bumps can be seen projecting through the layer of silt.

Habitat: On deep upward facing bedrock on exposed coasts but also on sheltered cliff faces in Kenmare River, Co Kerry.

Distribution: Known recently from Kenmare River, south-west Ireland, and scattered localities on the west and north-west coasts of Ireland.

Similar Species: Can be difficult to distinguish from other red crusts, especially Microciona spinarcus which also has a 'bumpy' surface, but the particular shade of red and the vermiform spicules are characteristic.

Key Identification Features:

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). Bubaris vermiculata (Bowerbank, 1862). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C3730 Accessed on 2023-12-10

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