Axinella polycapella

(Red Devil's Finger)

Size

Colony height: reaching 50cm (20") Branch width: 2.5cm (1")

Recognition Characters

Multiple growth patterns can occur in this sponge. Most commonly forms tall, irregular branching colonies with long, erect flexible branches. Branches can be pointed, rounded or flattened. The surface can be smooth or coarsely puntate with large star shaped oscules 2-5mm in diameter. This sponge is stiff in consistency. Three types of spicules are (1) oxeas, usually bent, (2) strongyloxeas and (3) styles both less common.

Color

Orange red or bright red

Habitat & Depth

Temperate reefs to 50m. On mixed sandy and hard bottom habitats surrounding reefs.

Distribution at GRNMS

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico

Behavior & Notes

This sponge has been confusing to identify and has been previously classified under many different names (Axinella polypoides, A. bookhouti, A. reticulata, and Psuedaxinella wilsoni). No voucher specimens have been collected of this species and previous references to this species may have been misidentified as Ptilocaulis walpersi.

Synonyms

References

Wells et al. 1960, Alvarez et al. 1998