Porifera
Spirastrella mollis
Spirastrella mollis
(Encrusting Orange Sponge)
(Encrusting Orange Sponge)
1. Out of water (Chris Freeman)
Size
Colony height: reaching 14cm (6")
Recognition Characters
Thin body, heavily encrusts shell fragments, or other organisms. Spicules commonly tylostyles, spirasters, and amphiasters.
Color
Red to reddish brown
Habitat & Depth
Common under rocks of reef environments, intertidal to 5m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common at GRNMS under ledges and in crevices.
Geographic Range
Bermuda, Georgia
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Sterrer 1986