Suberites carnosus

Fleshy sulphur-sponge

   Suberites carnosus is a massive spherical sponge which may be assembled in a series of globulous masses or, in more voluminous forms, composed of large ball-shaped lobes. Simple forms may reach 15 cm in diameter and multi-lobed masses 30 cm in diameter. Usually, each lobe possesses, on its top, a single large oscule. The surface is smooth, soft and its colour varies from pale yellow to yellow orange. It is soft and when disturbed, the fleshy sulphur-sponge can retract a lot.
It is found in swallow waters attached to hard substrata, in the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the South of the Mediterranean Sea.

Close species:

 Suberites ficus is a species quite similar to S. carnosus. It is less globulous, the oscules are more numerous and its surface is fibrous and slightly rough.
In the same geographical area, is also a globular sponge with a single oscule but its roughcast surface clearly distinguishes it from S. carnosus.

Classification:

 Phylum Porifera, class Demospongiae, order Hadromerida, family Suberitidae, Suberites carnosus (Johnston, 1842).

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.
Suberites carnosus, Iles Glénan, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 14 meters.
Text:  Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat © 2004-2008.
Translation:  Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.