Higher classification Sycon | Rank Species Subclass Calcaronea | |
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Similar Sponge, Sycon, Leucosolenia, Calcareous sponge, Grantia | ||
Sycon ciliatum
Sycon ciliatum is a species of calcareous sponge belonging to the family Sycettidae.
Contents
Sponges are marine invertebrates with a jellylike mesohyl sandwiched between two layers of cells. They are filter feeders maintaining a flow of water through their structure which passes out through large openings called oscula. They have a fragile skeleton composed of stiff spicules. Amphiblastula is the larva of scypha.
Description
This small purse sponge grows singly or in small groups from a single holdfast. It is up to five centimetres long, fairly stiff, greyish-white and spindle-shaped. The osculum at the tip is fringed with fine spicules. The surface of the sponge appears furry from its covering of fine papillae. The skeleton consists of a tangential layer of triactines and another of tetractines. This species can be distinguished from the rather similar Sycon raphanus by the fact that the choanocyte chambers are not fused but are free from each other.
Distribution and habitat
Sycon ciliatum is common along the coasts of Europe and occurs on the eastern fringes of the Atlantic Ocean from Scandinavia south to Portugal. It is found low down on the shore and in the neritic zone, amongst seaweed, under stones or in rock pools in areas without strong wave action.
