Thymosia | |
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In Ireland | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Porifera |
Class: | Demospongiae |
Family: | Chondrillidae |
Genus: | Thymosia Topsent, 1895 |
Species: | T. guernei |
Binomial name | |
Thymosia guernei Topsent, 1895 | |
Thymosia is a genus of sea sponges in the order Chondrillida. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Thymosia guernei. Typically encountered on vertical rock surfaces or beneath rock overhangs in regions subject to moderately robust wave action and tidal currents, it is commonly observed on limestone substrates at depths ranging from 15 to 30 meters.
After its initial discovery by French zoologist Émile Topsent in Concarneau, France, in 1896, Thymosia guernei remained elusive until it was rediscovered through dredging off Plymouth's Mewstone Grounds in 1956. Subsequent sightings occurred in Roscoff and, notably, by a diver at Lundy in 1971. Diver observations have since revealed a south-westerly distribution in the British Isles, with a preference for offshore islands, being infrequently found on the mainland. [1]
Thymosia guerni, displaying an off-white hue, often adopts a massive and lumpy structure, reaching patches up to 1 meter across. Its attachment to the substrate is secure, facilitated by a broad encrusting base. In appearance, it resembles cold mashed potato. Its irregular surface and white colour in a sponge of its size are quite particular. [2]
This sponge exhibits a diverse range of forms, from thin sheets to low, spreading, massive-lobose structures that can form patches up to 60cm across. Firmly attached by a broad encrusting base, it presents an overall appearance reminiscent of cold mashed potato. The surface is clean, smooth, and undulating, occasionally raised into angular projections due to the inclusion of other sedentary organisms. The off-white surface hides a pale grey-orange interior, and the sponge has a slight smell. [3]
Its consistency is solid and rubbery, with a thin covering of slime that becomes apparent when silt falls onto the surface. The sponge features a few small oscules scattered along ridges and lobes, often occupied by crustaceans and brittle stars, while countless microscopic pores cover the surface. In mature sponges, these pores concentrate at the base of deep hollows formed by steep-sided lobes. The sponge does not exhibit noticeable contraction. Additionally, double openings of the mud-lined burrows of the polychaete worm Polydora are sometimes observed at the surface. [3]
The sponge lacks a mineral skeleton; instead, it features a robust cortex abundantly reinforced by fibrillar collagen, enhancing the otherwise soft matrix. Spongin fibers, characterized by unique kidney-shaped swellings, provide additional strength by vertically traversing the body to the surface, where they branch and anastomose at distinct intervals. [4]
Thymosia guernia is considered to be rare. It has recently been discovered off several islands off South West England and Western Ireland, including Aran Islands in County Galway, Clare Island in County Mayo, Skokholm, and Lundy. Additionally, it is occasionally found off the mainland, such as in North Pembrokeshire (off Abereiddy), St. Johns Point in County Donegal, France (Concarneau), and Portugal (Algarve). [5]
Cyclostomatida, or cyclostomata, are an ancient order of stenolaemate bryozoans which first appeared in the Lower Ordovician. It consists of 7+ suborders, 59+ families, 373+ genera, and 666+ species. The cyclostome bryozoans were dominant in the Mesozoic; since that era, they have decreased. Currently, cyclostomes seldom constitute more than 20% of the species recorded in regional bryozoan faunas.
Polymastia fusca is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is found in shallow subtidal habitats in the far north of North Island, New Zealand.
Proteleia tapetum is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is found in shallow subtidal and intertidal habitats in the far north of North Island, New Zealand.
Polymastia crocea is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is found in subtidal habitats below 6 m depth in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand.
Polymastia umbraculum is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is only known from rocky subtidal habitats around Kawau Island off the North Island of New Zealand.
Polymastia rubens is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is only known from rocky subtidal habitats around Kawau Island off North Island, New Zealand.
Polymastia aurantia is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is found in intertidal habitats including tide pools in the vicinity of Auckland, New Zealand.
Halichondria panicea, commonly known as the breadcrumb sponge, is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Halichondriidae. This is an abundant sponge of coastal areas of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea ranging from the intertidal zone to a recorded depth of over 550 m. It is also found in the intertidal zone of the coast of the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand. It is very tolerant of a wide range of coastal habitats, including strong currents, high salinity and exposure to powerful wave action. Its only requirement is a rocky substrate which can include small cobbles.
Agelas clathrodes, also known as the orange elephant ear sponge, is a species of sea sponge. It lives on reefs in the Caribbean, usually more than 10 metres (33 ft) below the surface of the ocean. It takes various forms, and its color is reddish orange.
Clathrina coriacea is a species of calcareous sponge belonging to the class Calcarea and family Clathrinidae. Species in the genus Clathrina are composed of calcium carbonate tube-like skeletons containing spicules. The sponge can be located in shallow waters widely distributed along North Atlantic coasts, as well as on other coasts.
Ophlitaspongia papilla is a species of demosponge belonging to the family Microcionidae. It is found along north-eastern Atlantic coastlines. This is a red sponge which forms thin, smooth encrusting patches, up to 5 cm across, with regularly spaced oscula.
Agelas schmidti, commonly known as the brown tubular sponge, is a species of demosponge. It occurs at moderate depths in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and often has a colonial coral growing over the surface. The type locality is Puerto Rico.
Lobophora variegata is a species of small thalloid brown alga which grows intertidally or in shallow water in tropical and warm temperate seas. It has three basic forms, being sometimes ruffled, sometimes reclining and sometimes encrusting, and each form is typically found in a different habitat. This seaweed occurs worldwide. It is the type species of the genus Lobophora, the type locality being the Antilles in the West Indies.
Clathria prolifera, commonly known as red beard sponge, is a species of sea sponge in the family Microcionidae. It is native to shallow water habitats in the western Atlantic Ocean from Prince Edward Island southwards to Florida and Mexico, and possibly Brazil. In the twentieth century it also became established on the west coast of the United States.
Corticium candelabrum is a species of sponge in the order Homosclerophorida. It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea where it inhabits the shallow sublittoral zone. The type locality is the Adriatic Sea.
Aplysina aerophoba is a species of sponge in the family Aplysinidae. It is a yellow, tube-forming or encrusting sponge and is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea; the type locality is the Adriatic Sea.
Clathria aceratoobtusa is a species of sponge in the family Microcionidae. The genus Clathria is subdivided into a number of subgenera, and it is in the subgenus Microciona. It is native to shallow water habitats in the Indo-Pacific region. The type locality is the Gulf of Thailand.
Coelosphaeridae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida. Species are found across the globe.
Calcifibrospongiidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Haplosclerida. The order Haplosclerida is distinguished by isodictyal skeleton. In general, Porifera are basal animals with bodies full of pores and channels. Calcifibrospongiidae includes the species Calcifibrospongia actinostromarioides. There have only been ten recorded occurrences of this species: in Hogsty Reef and San Salvador, as well as in the subtropics of the Bahamas.
Oscarella tuberculata is a species of sponge in the order Homosclerophorida. It is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where it forms encrusting colonies on rocks and other hard surfaces.