Pachymatisma johnstonia

(Bowerbank, 1842)

Vernacular names
English : Elephant’s hide sponge
French : Fesse d’éléphant

Classification
Class : Demospongiae
Order : Tetractinellida
Family : Geodiidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Massive lobed sponge growing to a diameter of 40 cm for a thickness reaching 10 cm. Coloration is uniformly grey, usually dark grey but clear specimens recorded in dark areas (caves). Surface is soft.

Range and habitat
North-east Atlantic, from Channel Sea to Spain and Mediterranean Sea. Found on rocks from a few meters deep to more than 300 meters. Needs efficient water movement and renewal.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species hasn’t been assessed. It seems to be common but might become threatened by global warming and pollution of waters.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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