Size
Massive form: reaching 45cm (18") height. Encrusting form: 2-3mm thick but reaching 90cm (3') across
Recognition Characters
This species has 2 different growth morphs. 1.) Massive amorphous with irregular lobate masses and contorted conical projections which may or may not have apical oscules. 2.) Encrusting forms that can be several mm thick covering large areas. Consistency of the sponge is firm and somewhat rubbery. Surface is smooth to velvety on projections, otherwise commonly coarsely verrucose. Surface is hispid with projecting spicules. Ectosome and choanosome are not well differentiated from one another. Spicules are (1) tylostyles that can be strongly bent or straight (2) anthosigmata, relatively rare, irregular and bent (3) spiraster, extremely rare.
Color
Variable. Color of massive specimens is externally fulvous, paler around base and oscules, can be orange to almost colorless. Color of encrusting specimens can be dark greenish, brownish-green, to reddish brown.
Habitat & Depth
Temperate and tropical reefs, seagrass beds and lagoons, and mangrove roots. Shallow intertidal to 30m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Rare. Massive form may grow on mixed sandy-hard bottom surrounding reefs.
Geographic Range
North Carolina southward to Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean
Behavior & Notes
This sponge is reported from GRNMS but no voucher specimens have been collected. Encrusting forms have been collected off North Carolina. Recently reassigned to Cliona varians.
Synonyms
Anthosigmella varians
Wells et al. 1960, Wiedenmayer 1977