Size
Colony height:
Recognition Characters
This sponge does not show the typical boring habit of the genus Cliona. This sponge can completely destroy the object they excavate and become free living leaving no trace of their boring habit. The surface of the sponge is mostly smooth but undulating with ridges that run the length of the sponge. Surface may contain circular areas about 5mm in diameter which are papillae that have contracted. Oscules are large and randomly distributed. The interior of the sponge exhibits balls of excavated sediment. The consistency of the sponge is firm and slightly compressible. The spicules are tylostyles.
Color
Exterior bright yellow to orange. Interior yellowish-orangish flecked with dark splotches of excavated sediment.
Habitat & Depth
Bore into rocks and shells. In areas of mixed sandy and rocky bottoms. To 30m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Rare.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, Mediterranean
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Wells et al. 1960, Sterrer 1986