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Rhaphidostyla kitchingi
Burton, 1935
Joanne Porter I was wondering if Claire Goodwin could confirm the identity of this tassel sponge. My first thought was Amphilectus but others are suggesting it might be a type of Halichondria?? We are seeing quite a bit of it in Scapa Flow.
Floris Bennema It looks like Halichondria bowerbanki that we find here in the Netherlands. But I m not Claire :-)
Claire Goodwin I'd probably go for that too Floris Bennema - with the usual caveats about id without a sample. However, Iophon hyndmani is another possibility http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C6840). What depth Jo Joanne Porter?
Joanne Porter The depth can be 10-20m Claire Goodwin
Joanne Porter Can they be separated on spicules Claire Goodwin?
Bernard Picton Possibly Rhaphidostyla kitchingi? (Hymeniacidon kitchingi) It does this very thin tassel-like growth form. Spicules will help a lot Joanne.
Claire Goodwin Probably Joanne Porter! I wish sponges were easier to Id without samples. You'll just have to invite Bernard Picton and me up for a ground-truthing trip :)!