Hard bottom sponge aggregations

These habitats are comprised by several several medium sized sponge species, in particular various axinellid sponges (e.g: Phakellia spp., Axinella infundibulum), Antho dichotoma and Mycale lingua. These occur on different hard substrates such as lithified crust, lava rocks or cobbles.

Hard bottom sponge community with both Phakellia spp., Axinella infundibulum and several other species on different type of hard substrate. Upper image: MAREANO/IMR, lower image MFRI.