Stelligera stuposa - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786)

Stelligera stuposa

Description: A yellow to orange coloured branching-erect sponge which can grow to a height of 10cm. The branches in this species are rarely fused (c.f. Stelligera rigida). It has a bristly surface which often traps particles of silt. This species exudes quantities of slime when taken out of the water.

Habitat: A typical species of the circalittoral zone, found on open rock, crevices and stones.

Distribution: A common species throughout the British Isles, at least on western coasts.

Similar Species: Production of slime in a hairy, free branching sponge is probably indicative of Stelligera stuposa. The species with which it is most frequently confused is Raspailia hispida however this species does not produce slime.

Key Identification Features:

Branching-erect yellow sponge in which branches rarely fuse.
Bristly surface.
Production of slime when out of water.

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). Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C4080 Accessed on 2024-12-05

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