Tentorium aff. semisuberites  (Sponge)

© Neil McDaniel (Photo ID #58567)

Photographer's Submitted Details

Photo Location	Sechelt Inlet, BC
Photographer	Neil McDaniel
Habitat	marine, subtidal
Photo Date
Upload Date	January 02, 2014
Elevation (m)	-25
Latitude	49.5677777777778
Longitude	-123.804166666667
Photo ID #	58567
Comments	Identified as Tentorium aff. semisuberites (Schmidt, 1870). Tendril sponge. This very peculiar-looking sponge occasionally has a very long tendril attached to the basal part of the sponge. So far it has been found in Agamemnon Channel and Sechelt Inlet. Identification proved to be difficult, but Dr. Bill Austin found it compared in most respects to Tentorium semisuberites, found in the Arctic and Atlantic. The purpose of the tendril is unknown, but could have to do with propagation of new juveniles. This image shows a close-up of the basal part, which is about 5 mm in diameter. Note the skirt of spicules, which is characteristic of this species.