Bath sponge

Spongia officinalis

ORDER

Dictyoceratida

FAMILY

Spongiidae

TAXONOMY

Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759, Mediterranean.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

German: Meerschwamm; Greek: Fino, Matapas; Italian: Spugna da bagno.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Globular-massive sponges, usually over 4 in (10 cm) in diameter, varying in color from white to black depending on environmental circumstances, with a finely conulose (cone-shaped) surface and spongy-elastic consistency.

DISTRIBUTION

Atlantic coasts of Spain; Mediterranean.

HABITAT

On rocks and in caves from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

BEHAVIOR

Little is known besides feeding ecology and reproductive biology.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Filter-feeder, like all other sponges.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Viviparous; separate sexes. The parenchymellar larvae are large (to 500 µm) and elliptical in shape with short cilia over most of the body.

CONSERVATION STATUS

As of 1986 populations declined as a result of an epidemic disease; protected under the Bern Convention 1998.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Regarded as the finest quality bath sponge in Europe.