Stinker sponge
Ircinia felix
(Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

Description:
Globular or angularly cake-shaped sponges, 12-14 cm in maximal diameter, but also flatly encrusting, lamellar or ramose specimens are found. The surface is finely conulose (I. felix-close up) when compared to Ircinia campana and Ircinia strobilina. The conules are about 1-2 mm high and about 2-3 mm apart. The oscules are typically provided with a dark, blackish purple rim. They are irregularly scattered over the surface and have a diameter of 1-8 mm. The consistency of the sponge is tough, compressible and difficult to cut or tear.

Color:
Brown.

Habitat:
Inhabit shallow to mid-range reefs, often grow near living corals. It is also found in lagoons.

Distribution:
From Florida to NE Venezuela.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Genus Ircinia
Species Ircinia felix

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Stinker sponge [English]
Stinkspons [Dutch]
Éponge puante [French]
Stinkschwamm [German]

Humann, P., 1992. Reef Creature Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

Soest, R.W.M. van, 1978. Marine sponges from Curaçao and other Caribbean islands. Part I. Keratosa. Studies on the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands, 179.

You can continue searching for Ircinia felix on one of these Web sites:

Fauna Europaea (animals) | IOPI (plants) | NCBI (genetic)

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