Axinella damicornis

photo by Coudre, Christian

Family:	Axinellidae ()
Max. size:	10 cm H (male/unsexed)
Environment:	sessile; marine; depth range - 15 m
Distribution:	Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:	Sponge up to 10 cm height; ramifications flattened in ranges; more or less connected ones to the others; (of or the comparison with the foliage of a deer suggested by the name of species). Yellow coloring with orange.
Biology:	Maximum Heigth: 10 cm. Depth: beyond 15 m and until great depth (Ref. 358). Habitat: Muddy funds and rock faces, like underwater caves; anfractuosities; and contrebas of rock overhangs. Beyond 15 m and until great depth; sometimes more close of surface inside caves; and under the cliff overhangs. Biology: near to that of Axinella polypoides. These specimens are sometimes almost completely covered with encrusting anemones which mask it with the first glance (Ref. 358).
IUCN Red List Status:	Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:
Country info:

Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.