A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...

89. Mycale (Carmia) carlilei Lehnert, Stone and Heimler, 2006
Description. This clavate sponge typically has a single
cylinder, occasionally several (up to four) smaller
branches, atop a thinner well-defined stalk. One or
more large oscula are atop each cylinder; several smaller
oscula along sides are obvious in situ. Surface is smooth.
Consistency is very soft, except for the wiry stalk. Height
is to 50 cm or more. Color in life is golden brown.
Skeletal structure. SEM images of spicules are shown
in Appendix IV. The stalk consists of longitudinally
arranged masses of tylostyles; individual tracts are not
recognizable. A special ectosome is not developed. The
choanosome consists of irregularly arranged pauci- and
polyspicular tracts of tylostyles with masses of sigmas and
very abundant anisochelae, both single and in rosettes.
Spicules consist of tylostyles (470–520 × 10–14 µm), anisochelae
(55–75 µm), and sigmas (65–80 µm).
Zoogeographic distribution. Locally abundant (up
to 8 individuals per m 2 ). In Alaska – central Aleutian
Islands. Elsewhere – not reported.
Habitat. Attached to bedrock, boulders, cobbles, and
pebbles at depths between 82 and 360 m.
Remarks. Mycale loveni and M. bellabellensis are the
only other species in the genus that exhibit a stalked
growth form.
Photos. 1) Specimen collected at a depth of 150 m
in the central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are 1 cm 2 .
2) Same specimen as in photo 1 in situ. 3) Specimen
with several M. loveni at a depth of 112 m. 4) Specimen
with several Halichondria oblonga (upper right) at a
depth of 119 m.
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