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Ophlitaspongia pennata (Red encrusting sponge)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
This
red encrusting sponge is hard to miss. Look for it low in the intertidal
on rocks. It forms thin crusts, no more than about ¼ inch
thick and has a soft velvety texture. It's color is bright red or
red-orange. In contrast to most other local intertidal sponge species,
the oscula (excurrent pores) are not elevated. If you find this
sponge, look carefully because it may have a well camouflaged little
red nudibranch ( Rostangea pulchra ) on it or Rostanga's
red spiral eggcase.
Another
common name for this species is velvety red sponge.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/16/05.
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