Halichondria panicea

Brotkrumenschwamm ( Halichondria panicea )

The Brotkrumenschwamm ( Halichondria panicea ) is a sponge - type from the class of Horn siliceous sponges ( Demospongiae ) and belongs to the family of Halichondriidae. It often occurs in the coastal areas of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from the height of mudflats down to a depth of over 550 meters. It can exist in a variety of coastal habitats and associated conditions, strong currents, high salinity and also in areas of strong Seeganges. He lives on hard substrate or gravel soils.

Morphology

The sponge is found in different forms and can be difficult to determine. Some forms have a granular surface, which brings them their common name, but the surface may well also smooth up to his glasses. She has often pores in wave -protected habitats inside the tubes can continue to be. Their shape is very much determined by the surrounding habitat: exposed wave forms Halichondria panicea thin, flat "leaves", while more protected forms often form thick crusts up to 20 cm thick. This variety has led to that this kind was performed under the name of 56 different types.

The color varies. The Brotkrumenschwamm is "naturally" cream or gray: This color is usually found in specimens in fairly great depth. In shallower depths, however, but the coloring of the sponge is due to symbiotic algae of attached more and more towards green. So the tendency Brotkrumenschwamm in intermediate depths also, in summer green and winter to be cream-colored or gray. Its smell resembles ignited gunpowder.

Nutrition and reproduction

Halichondria panicea is a filter feeder, which feeds mainly on phytoplankton. Although it is such a widespread species is relatively little known about its reproduction: He seems to be hermaphrodite. The oogenesis reportedly runs off in a given population in a very short time, although exceptions were observed.