Halichondria panicea

Bread-crumb sponge

   Halichondria panicea is an encrusting sponge covering surfaces of several square centimeters. According to habitat, it may form groups or even massive structures. Borders are irregular and lobe-shaped. Oscules are clearly visible and crater-shaped. The surface is smooth and glossy. The colour is variable from orange-yellow to brownish green. A symbiotic algae inhabits the sponge tissues giving it its green colour, or more rarely a reddish brown colour. This species is also strongly odoriferous.
It is very frequent in the intertidal area, attached to rocks, algae, shells and can also live in deep water areas. It is recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and down to the Mediterranean Sea.

Close species:

 Often confused with other encrusting sponges whose surface sometimes resembling bread-crumb.

Classification:

 Phylum Porifera, class Demospongiae, order Halichondrida, family Halichondriidae, Halichondria panicea (Pallas, 1766).

Page glossary:

Oscule: Opening generally quite visible, through which sponges expel water they have filtered to extract food particles.

Authors:

Photograph:  © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission.
Halichondria panicea, Port-Manech, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 3 meters.
Text:  Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat © 2004-2008.
Translation:  Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.