Category Archives: Phylum Porifera

Classification of Isodictya rigida by H.M. Reiswig

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Identification of sponge fragment provided by G. Yahel, 15 June 2004, H. M. Reiswig, 26 July 2004 Label: “Iophon? 04.06.03 Race Rocks; Formalin 4%” First conclusion was tentative: Dictyonella sp., and unsatisfying since no species of this genus was known in B.C. waters; structure and body was more like Isodictya, but the rare isochelae spicules of that genus were not found in preliminary analysis.  After discussion with Bill Austin on Barkley Sound Cruise, I made a thorough examination of thick sections and found the rare isochela spicules, mainly in the atrial walls (older tissues).  I then made new spicule preparations of that region and was able to easily find 50 of the ‘rare’ spicules for measurement.

Revised conclusion (now with high confidence): Isodictya rigida (Lambe, 1893) [Originally Neoesperiopsis rigida; the same in Austin & Ott, 1997 (Kozlov)] Class: Demospongiae; Order: Poecilosclerida; Suborder: Mycalina;  Family: Isodictyidae; Genus: Isodictya Bowerbank, 1864

 

Cliona celata: Boring Sponge–Race Rocks taxonomy

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cliona

Cliona celata: This closeup image was taken by Ryan Murphy in May 2010. Clicking on the image gives a very large magnification. Clicking on the image below gives a sample of that level of magnification.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Hadromerida
Family Dysideidae, Tetilla
Genus Cliona
Species celata
Common Name: Boring sponge

Cliona celata is lobular in shape with wart like projections on it surface. This species is commonly found in colonies and the portions of the colony showing at the surface have projections appearing  as yellow in color. They are evenly distributed on the sponge and are inhalent and seive like. Below the surface, the Cliona celata shell may look like a honeycomb. Cliona celata is commonly referred to as the boring sponge because it bores into soft limestone, using an acid digestion technique thus forming systems of interconnecting chambers within the matrix of the substrate

The opened up hinge area of the Purple Hinged Rock Scallop. Calliostoma is the snail and Metridium is the anemone. G.Fletcher photo.

 

The sponge can also bore as a parasite into mollusc and barnacle shells. It is common on many of the purple hinged rock scallops that we see underwater at Race Rocks.

At Race Rocks, the boring sponge is commonly found around the Rosedale Reef area. Its exhibits a biotic association with the purple -hinge rock scallop (Hinnites giganteus ) . Below is a picture of a complete rock scallop with small yellow dots where the sponge is located.

Boring sponges are the small yellow dots on the outside of this live Rock Scallop

Boring sponges are the small yellow dots on the outside of this live Rock Scallop which measures 18 cm in diameter.

 

References: As of 2001

http://web.ucs.ubc.ca/csmecher/demospon.htm 

http://www.diveinfo.com/porifera

http://www.itsligo.ie/biomar/porifera/clicel.htm

Kozloff, Eugene.N, Keys to the Marine Invertebrates of Puget Sound, the San Juan Archipelago, and Adjacent Regions; University of Washington press, 1974.
Other Members of the Phylum Porifera at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.  Dec. 2001–Misozi Phiri PC year 27

 

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