Myxilla fimbriata - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Myxilla fimbriata (Bowerbank, 1864)

Myxilla fimbriata

Description: This is a bright orange, cushion shaped sponge, usually 6-7 mm thick but it can be up to 30 mm. It is found in patches 2-5 cm across, with an irregular outline. The patches are rounded in cross section with steep sides. It turns black or brown when placed in alcohol.

Habitat: This species can be found on lower infralittoral and upper circalittoral rock but is most frequently encountered on lower circalittoral bedrock on exposed open coasts.

Distribution: Known recently from various sites on the west, north-east and south-east coasts of Ireland, also St Abbs, Coll and Lewis.

Similar Species: Superficially there might be confusion with Amphilectus fucorum but there are distinct spicule differences. The blackening of M. fimbriata in alcohol is rapid and striking, and this combined with a lack of slime in what is otherwise a typical Myxillid skeleton makes this species distinctive from other Myxillid species such as Myxilla rosacea and Myxilla incrustans.

Key Identification Features:

Bright orange cushion sponge, typically 6-7 mm thick.
Found in patches 2-5 cm across.
Goes black/brown in alcohol.

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). Myxilla fimbriata (Bowerbank, 1864). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C6430 Accessed on 2024-09-15

[Show species list]

[Home]