Species Overview

Mycale (Mycale) lingua (Bowerbank, 1866).

SPONGE:

Shape: Encrusting to massive;linguiform
Size_height: --30 cm
Color_Alive: Light yellow-grey or pale buff
Consistency: Tough; fibrous

HABITAT:

Benthic Region: Marine: Subtidal to Deep water
Depth: 31 -- 1267 m
Distribution: suspected but not verified as occurring in California.

Surface:

Contour: sulcate. Furrows forming irregular reticulation over the surface

Oscula:

Diameter: 4 -- 10 mm
Rims: on small cone-shaped elevations 2-3 mm high.

Skeleton:

Composition: Silicate
Architecture: Large bundles of megascleres rise to the surface where they form radiating tufts that penetrate the surface.

Megasclere:

Shape: Styles-Subtylostyles
Length: 255 -(544|830)- 1150 µ
Width: 10 -(11|17)- 19 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Anisochelae-may be in 2 size classes
Length: 22 -(36|50)- 104 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Sigmas
Length: 15 -(20|27)- 53 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Raphides
Length: 18 - (42|51)- 78 µ