• Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Porifera
  • Class: Calcarea
  • Order: Leucosolenida
  • Family: Sycettidae
  • Scientific name: Sycon quadrangulatum
  • Norwegian: urnekalksvamp

Characteristics:

Because of the shape and the single opening (oscule) at the end of the cylinder, it can be confused with a sea squirt on some distance. The opening is framed by fine hairs. The color is white, grey or light brown. It can reach a length of 9 cm after a life span usually no more than one year. Larvae are released in the spring and the sponge often dies immediately after.

Habitat:

S. quadrangulatum seems to prefer shallow waters, where it can be found attached to rocks or algae.

Distribution:

Common along the Atlantic coast of Europe, from the Mediterranean to the coast of Norway.