Ciocalypta penicillus is a sponge with a round cushion-shaped base attached to rocks,
of 10 to 20 cm in diameter. Many conical outgrowths between 5 to 10 cm in height and 5 to 7 mm in diameter
at their base emerge from the whole surface of the basal cushion. The sponge base is generally covered with sand, only the
erected brushes are visible. They are pale yellow and translucent so that the central axis can be seen through.
It lives on rocks hidden in sandy or maerl seabeds, in the North-Western Atlantic, the English Channel and
the Mediterranean Sea.
(source: European Register of Marine Species)
Maerl : Calcareous algae forming small branches of 3 to 5 cm. Pink when alive, white when dead, these
algae form large seabeds. Maerl is collected and used in pharmacology and manure.
Ciocalypta penicillus
Ciocalypta penicillus
Top photograph :
© Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission :
Ciocalypta penicillus,
Iles Glénan, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 13 meters.
Bottom photographs : © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission :
Ciocalypta penicillus, . Iles Glénan, South-Britany, West of France. Depth 15 meters.
© Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission :
Ciocalypta penicillus, . Iles Glénan, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 13 meters.
Text : Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat © 2004-2010.
Translation : Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2010.
