Axinella dissimilis

Shôn Roberts Liz.. Is this any better for you. Thanks

Liz Morris I've put an ask out to check - I think it's Axinella dissimilis but dont know if theres anything else this colour to be confused with. They are supposed to have star shapes around their 'surface holes' (Oscules), but I looked and looked and couldnt find any. It has been recorded in the area though, so it's possible and the habitat is right.

Liz Morris Answer from Jennifer Jones " it is Axinella dissimilis. If you look at the bunch of 'fingers' with the silt at the base, the oscule at the end of the right hand finger has grooves radiating out from it giving it a stellate appearance. It's not that the sponge has star shapes around the oscule as such. Hope that makes sense." She was actually talking about my photo of the same thing, but you get the idea!

Liz Morris Does anyone know, does Axinella dissimilis always have stellate grooves around the oscules? I looked and looked on the few potentials this weekend, and couldnt find any, but have no idea what this could be confused with. Any ideas?

Liz Morris sorry, I forgot the please word! I'd be most grateful as Seasearchers have been asking me. Thank you!

Jennifer Jones Hi Liz, it is Axinella dissimilis. If you look at the bunch of 'fingers' with the silt at the base, the oscule at the end of the right hand finger has grooves radiating out from it giving it a stellate appearance. It's not that the sponge has star shapes around the oscule as such. Hope that makes sense.

Liz Morris right, that clarifies things. But I still couldnt see many radiating grooves. I'm pleased that it is though, as was wondering if the records were correct!! Are the grooves to channel silt from the oscules or something? Thanks!

Claire Goodwin I think the colour (very bright yellow rather than brownish) and the smooth, velvety, non-silty texture might be more useful characters for Seasearchers. Had someone identify Alcyonidium diaphanum as this on our course this weekend though so it does make you wonder!

Bernard Picton The stellate grooves only become really apparent when the sponge is taken out of water. They are really exhalent channels which converge on the oscules and are roofed over by a thin layer of tissue when the sponge is pumping.

Chris Wood Devon Delights Late July and the weather finally decided it was summer - Devon Seasearch had three glorious days diving some of our less dived reefs in near perfect conditions. First stop was Chicken Rock - well it does look a bit chicken shaped on the chart... A stunning very tide swept reef with abundant covering of antenna and Indian feathers hydroids, staghorn sponge Axinella dissimilis and large p[ink sea fan colonies, all in 5 star condition - here some divers measured and recorded the sea fans, others completed Seasearch Surveyor forms, much assisted by the new Bryozoans and Hydroids guide! Picture right is of Chicken Rock by Sally Sharrock. The shallower tide swept reefs of Greystone Ledges close to Bolt Tail provided plenty of sponge habitat with shredded carrot sponge colourfully dominant. Nearby Bolberry Gullies had rocky reef with coarse sand gullies where the rare finger sponge Adreus fascicularis was recorded. On the last day a new (to us) and so far un-Seasearched reef to the west of the Eddystone was also dived in flat calm conditions. Walls of jewel anemones provided ample opportunities for the photographers. Report and picture by Sally Sharrock

Liz Morris Does anyone know, does Axinella dissimilis always have stellate grooves around the oscules? I looked and looked on the few potentials this weekend, and couldnt find any, but have no idea what this could be confused with. Any ideas?

Liz Morris sorry, I forgot the please word! I'd be most grateful as Seasearchers have been asking me. Thank you!

Jennifer Jones Hi Liz, it is Axinella dissimilis. If you look at the bunch of 'fingers' with the silt at the base, the oscule at the end of the right hand finger has grooves radiating out from it giving it a stellate appearance. It's not that the sponge has star shapes around the oscule as such. Hope that makes sense.

Liz Morris right, that clarifies things. But I still couldnt see many radiating grooves. I'm pleased that it is though, as was wondering if the records were correct!! Are the grooves to channel silt from the oscules or something? Thanks!

Claire Goodwin I think the colour (very bright yellow rather than brownish) and the smooth, velvety, non-silty texture might be more useful characters for Seasearchers. Had someone identify Alcyonidium diaphanum as this on our course this weekend though so it does make you wonder!

Bernard Picton The stellate grooves only become really apparent when the sponge is taken out of water. They are really exhalent channels which converge on the oscules and are roofed over by a thin layer of tissue when the sponge is pumping.