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Halichondria bowerbanki

Halichondria bowerbanki Burton, 1930

Common Names

Bowerbank's halichondria (English)

Languages: English

Overview

Description

This demosponge species is either encrusting, branching, or forms flattened lobes. The skeleton is composed of irregularly and loosely packed, siliceous spicules. Spicule type includes megascleres (oxeas) only, measuring 170-300 mm in length. Color variants include gold, yellowish-tan, or olive-brown; surface is often translucent. For complete description, see Lee et al., 2007.

Author(s): Frey, Melissa
Rights holder(s): Frey, Melissa

Description

Look Alikes

In the Northeast Pacific, Halichondria bowerbanki is most similar to H. panicea (Pallas, 1766).

Author(s): Frey, Melissa
Rights holder(s): Frey, Melissa

Ecology and Distribution

Distribution

Halichondria bowerbanki has been introduced to the Northeast Pacific, with confirmed records from British Columbia to central California. This species is native to the Northeast Atlantic, distributed from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras.

Author(s): Frey, Melissa
Rights holder(s): Frey, Melissa

Habitat

Marine; bays and harbors, on floats

Author(s): Frey, Melissa
Rights holder(s): Frey, Melissa

References

Carlton, J. T. (2007).  The Light and Smith Manual: Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon. 1001. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Lee, W. L., Elvin D. W., & Reiswig H. M. (2007).  The Sponges of California: A Guide and Key to the Marine Sponges of California. 130+key. Monterey: Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation.
Ruiz, G. M., Fofonoff P. W., Steves B., Foss S. F., & Shiba S. N. (2011).  Marine invasion history and vector analysis of California: a hotspot for western North America. Diversity and Distributions. 17, 362-373.