Class Calcarea
[see also Class Demospongiae]
Order Leucosolenida
Order Leucosolenida
Leucosolenia eleanor Urban, 1905
Phylum Porifera, Class Calcarea, Order Leucosolenida, Family Leucosoleniidae
Mats or tufts to 3 cm thick & 10 cm across of minute anastomosing tubules (<2 mm diameter); white; only local sponge with ascon grade of organization.
Moderately common; seasonal in Monterey (uncommon in winter); on rocks around the bases of red algae.
Geogr. Range: Aleutian Islands to southern California
Synonyms: Similar species:
Leucilla nuttingi (Urban, 1902)
Phylum Porifera, Class Calcarea, Order Leucosolenida, Family Amphoriscidae
Small clusters of small vase-shaped tubes 1-2 cm tall; white; despite small size, possesses leucon grade of organization.
Common but inconspicuous due to small size; on rocks nestled with algae & sessile invertebrates.
Geogr. Range: British Columbia to Baja
Synonyms: Rhabdodermella nuttingi
Similar species: Leucandra heathi is larger, rounder, yellow-brown instead of white with fringe of large spicules surrounding oscula.
Leucandra heathi (Urban, 1905)
Phylum Porifera, Class Calcarea, Order Leucosolenida, Family Grantiidae
Globular to pear-shaped, 4-6 cm in diameter; with conspicuous oscula surrounded by erect fringe of large spicules, white to cream, often covered with detritus; in some locations shape may be much more irregular than in photograph.
Common, on rocky substrate with moderate water motion.
Geogr. Range: Aleutian Islands to southern California
Synonyms:
Similar species: Tethya californiana is globular, but orange with a textured surface. Craniella arb is globular but gray with distinctive rows of large spicules across its surface and lacking obvious oscula. Leucilla nuttingi is more tubular, much smaller, & whiter.
Image: Balanophyllia (lower left)