BIOTIC Species Information for Axinella dissimilis
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| Researched by | Angus Jackson | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Axinella dissimilis | Common name | A branching sponge | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | C540 | Recent Synonyms | Axinella polypoides (Schmidt, 1862) | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Porifera | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Demospongiae | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Ceractinomorpha | Order | Halichondrida | ||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Axinellidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Axinella | Species | dissimilis | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | Axinella polypoides is still used by some authors (e.g. Hayward and Ryland, 1995). However, Axinella polypoides is now considered to be a separate species confined to the Mediterranean (Howson & Picton, 1997). Axinella dissimilis may be confused with other branching sponges e.g. Stelligera stuposa and Raspailia hispida but the relatively thicker branches and grooves surrounding the oscula are distinguishing features. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Picton & Costello, 1998, Moss & Ackers, 1982, Bowerbank, 1865, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Flabellate Digitate |
Feeding method | Active suspension feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Permanent attachment |
Environmental position | Epibenthic Epilithic |
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| Typical food types | Suspended particulate matter. | Habit | Erect | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Fragile | Size | Medium(11-20 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | ca 15 cm | Growth Rate | No information found | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | None | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Colonial | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | Size range refers to height. There is no information detailing whether the sexes are separate. Although elastic and flexible the surface of the sponge cracks if bent more than 90° (Moss & Ackers 1982). There is no information regarding the toxicity of this species. | ||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Picton & Costello, 1998, Moss & Ackers, 1982, Bowerbank, 1865, Konnecker, 1977, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Present at a few sites around Mull, the south west of England and the western extremities of Wales. In Ireland there are records from the south east, the south west, and along the Atlantic coast round to the north east. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | South western British Isles, the Channel Isles, Atlantic coasts of France and Spain. Recorded also from Iceland. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | ? - 100+ | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | Konnecker (1977) also records Axinella dissimilis as an offshore species found on rock patches surrounded by shell gravel or coarse sand. In the Channel Islands, Brittany and Lough Hyne, Co. Cork the species also occurs on infralittoral bedrock (Picton & Costello, 1997). The sponge is recorded from depths of at least 100 m (Cabioch, 1968) | ||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Large to very large boulders |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed |
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| Biological zone | Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | Extremely Exposed Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Insufficient information |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Moss & Ackers, 1982, Cabioch, 1968, Konnecker, 1977, Konnecker, 1973, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Insufficient information Insufficient information |
Developmental mechanism | Spores (sexual / asexual) |
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| Reproductive Season | Insufficient information | Reproductive Location | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Insufficient information | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | Insufficient information | Age at reproductive maturity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Insufficient information | Fecundity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Insufficient information | Fertilization type | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | No information is available regarding the longevity or reproductive mechanism of this species. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | |||||||||||||||
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