Ding
18-08-06, 13:29
Are any of u guys out there in the MCS? I had a picture with a scallop with a red coat as I put it. I wanted to know what it was so I sent a picture to the MCS This was the reply
The red cap on your scallop is a sponge. If you look carefully the larger
exhalent pores are visible on the surface. The sponge sucks water in through
numerous smaller holes, eats anything edible in the water then squirts it
back out through the exhalent pores. It is difficult to identify sponges
with any certainty from photographs but this one is probably Halichondria
panicea, the breadcrumb sponge. In shallow water this sponge is green in
colour but in deeper water it is usually orange as in your photograph.
If you would like to learn more about marine life I will be running some
seasearch observer courses over the next few months and you would be welcome
to attend.
Cheers
Owen
Seasearch Organiser for West of Scotland
Ghrianaig
Whitehouse
By Tarbert
Argyll PA29 6XR
01546 600209
Email: seasearch.west@btinternet.com
Seasearch is a national project for volunteer sports divers who have an
interest in what they're seeing under water, want to learn more and want to
help protect the marine environment. To find out more visit
www.seasearch.org.uk
Seasearh is co-ordinated by The Marine Conservation Society. The MCS is the
UK Charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its
wildlife. Please join us at www.mcsuk.org
I think a lot of u guys out there want to make shure our playground is kept cleen and well stocked. check out www.seasearch.org.uk
The red cap on your scallop is a sponge. If you look carefully the larger
exhalent pores are visible on the surface. The sponge sucks water in through
numerous smaller holes, eats anything edible in the water then squirts it
back out through the exhalent pores. It is difficult to identify sponges
with any certainty from photographs but this one is probably Halichondria
panicea, the breadcrumb sponge. In shallow water this sponge is green in
colour but in deeper water it is usually orange as in your photograph.
If you would like to learn more about marine life I will be running some
seasearch observer courses over the next few months and you would be welcome
to attend.
Cheers
Owen
Seasearch Organiser for West of Scotland
Ghrianaig
Whitehouse
By Tarbert
Argyll PA29 6XR
01546 600209
Email: seasearch.west@btinternet.com
Seasearch is a national project for volunteer sports divers who have an
interest in what they're seeing under water, want to learn more and want to
help protect the marine environment. To find out more visit
www.seasearch.org.uk
Seasearh is co-ordinated by The Marine Conservation Society. The MCS is the
UK Charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its
wildlife. Please join us at www.mcsuk.org
I think a lot of u guys out there want to make shure our playground is kept cleen and well stocked. check out www.seasearch.org.uk