Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Antho (Antho) lithophoenix (de Laubenfels, 1927)               
Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida: Microcionidae
Geographic Range: Central & Southern California. Synonyms: Isociona lithophoenix
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Antho_(Antho)_lithophoenix_0002.jpg
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 16 Mar 2008

Description: May be brick red, scarlet or reddish orange, forming a firm encrustation less than 3cm thick on rocks. Surface superficially tuberculate, tubercles 1 to 2mm high, crowded all over the surface, giving a granular appearance. As with many sponges, the spicules must be examined identify this species. This is one of several red or orange sponges on which the nudibranch Rostanga pulchra feeds.


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