Cliona celata Grant, 1826

Description

Cliona celata is a sponge presenting two morphological types more or less frequent whether this sponge lives in the Atlantic Ocean or whether it lives in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Atlantic, it mainly forms large and fleshy bright yellow masses, often isolated on poorly inhabited rocks. It may reach 60 cm in diameter which is the largest sponge from this area. Clearly visible inhaling pores cover the whole surface of the sponge. The oscules, at the end of small outgrowths, are arranged in somewhat linear systems, mainly on the upper part of the animal. In the Mediterranean Sea, Cliona celata is a perforating sponge. It lives inside shells or calcareous rocks which it perforates. Only the yellow ostioles and oscules are visible.

Distribution

Cliona celata is found from surface to 200 m deep, in the Atlantic ocean, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

How to cite this page

Bay-Nouailhat W., april 2004, Description of Cliona celata, [On line] https://www.european-marine-life.org/02/cliona-celata.php, consulted on 2024 April 19.