Douglas Mason, USA
Info
Leucandra heathi Urban, 1906
Leucandra heathi grows spherical to pear-shaped, 2.5 - 10cm in diameter; with a conspicuous oscula, surrounded by an upright fringe of large calcareous needles. However, this can also be much more irregular due to different growth conditions. The color of the sponge is whitish to cream-colored. The sponge is often covered with detritus.
Heath's calcareous sponge is a common sponge in its range. It grows attached to rocks in areas with moderate to strong currents.
Similar species: Tethya californiana is spherical but orange with a textured surface. Craniella arb is spherical but gray with distinctive rows of large calcareous needles on the surface and without conspicuous oscula. Leucilla nuttingi is more tubular, much smaller and whiter.
Synonymised names
Leuconia heathi (Urban, 1906) · unaccepted (reverted genus transfer)
Leucandra heathi grows spherical to pear-shaped, 2.5 - 10cm in diameter; with a conspicuous oscula, surrounded by an upright fringe of large calcareous needles. However, this can also be much more irregular due to different growth conditions. The color of the sponge is whitish to cream-colored. The sponge is often covered with detritus.
Heath's calcareous sponge is a common sponge in its range. It grows attached to rocks in areas with moderate to strong currents.
Similar species: Tethya californiana is spherical but orange with a textured surface. Craniella arb is spherical but gray with distinctive rows of large calcareous needles on the surface and without conspicuous oscula. Leucilla nuttingi is more tubular, much smaller and whiter.
Synonymised names
Leuconia heathi (Urban, 1906) · unaccepted (reverted genus transfer)
