Raspailia hispida - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Raspailia hispida (Montagu, 1818)

Raspailia hispida

Description: Branching-erect yellow sponge in which the branches rarely fuse. The surface is covered by even bristles which often trap a layer of silt. Individuals may grow to a height of 15cm.

Habitat: Often found in moderately exposed sites or sheltered sites with some current, often with Raspailia ramosa, Stelligera stuposa and other Axinellid sponges.

Distribution: Widespread on western coasts of the British Isles and also in the Irish Sea.

Similar Species: Can be difficult to distinguish from Stelligera stuposa by sight alone however S. stuposa produces quantities of slime when taken out of water.

Key Identification Features:

Branching-erect yellow sponge.
Even 'bristly' surface.
Doesn't produce slime.

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). Raspailia hispida (Montagu, 1818). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C4250 Accessed on 2024-10-08

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