Axinella dissimilis

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
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epibenthic, Epilithic
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
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
Biological zone	Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Extremely Exposed, Very Exposed, Exposed, Moderately Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat 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)
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
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage Insufficient information
Additional Information	No information is available regarding the longevity or reproductive mechanism of this species.
Reproduction References