Taxon biology ⁶

The mermaid's glove has decorative branches which often fuse together, resembling antlers. In Dutch, it is called 'antler sponge'. If the waters are calm where it grows, the branches are thin, resembling fine fingers. Probably the reason it's called mermaid's glove in English. In wilder waters, the branches are wider and flatter. This sponge gets its food by sucking up water through tiny pores. Other pores visible on the branches are used for expelling the filtered seawater.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Bernard Picton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/porifera/SC0267.jpg
2. (c) Bernard Picton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/porifera/SC0268.jpg
3. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/photos/uwe-haliclona-oculata-00001.jpg
4. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Haliclona%20oculata%2032307.jpg
5. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Haliclona%20oculata%2032306.jpg
6. (c) Copyright Ecomare, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/23204564

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• NBN Atlas
• World Register of Marine Species

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