Adreus fascicularis is an arborescent sponge from 10 to 25 cm in height. The branches,
usually ramifying in a plan have a diameter from 6 to 8 mm and are tip-tapered. They are smooth, firm to
the touch and slightly striated longitudinally. The colour is yellow with the tip of the branches generally
brownish. They live attached to rocks, generally on clear horizontal surfaces covered by sand, the base
and some branches may be hidden.
It is found around 20 m deep, in the Atlantic Ocean down to the North of Spain and in the English Channel.
Many erected species look similar; its distinctive characteristics are branches with darker and tapering tips.
Phylum Porifera, class Demospongiae, order Hadromerida, family Hemiasterellidae, Adreus fascicularis (Bowerbank, 1866).
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Photograph: © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission.
Adreus fascicularis, Iles Glénan, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 19 meters.
Text: Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat © 2004-2008.
Translation: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.
