Raspailia virgultosa

(Bowerbank, 1866)

Species Overview

Raspailia virgultosa (Bowerbank, 1866) consists of greenish grey transparent digitations sticking out of the sediment. Surface uneven. It is a rare species, recorded several times from various localities along the coasts of W Europe.

Taxonomic Description

Colour: Greenish grey, transparent.
Shape, size, surface and consistency: (Raspailia virgultosa large) Groups of digitations of ca. 2.5 cm high sticking out of the sediment. Surface uneven, hispid. No apparent oscules. Consistency flexible.
Spicules: (Raspailia virgultosa spics) Styles, curved: up to 1750 x 15 µm; acanthostyles, entirely spined, in two size categories: one with rhabdose end: 180 x 13 µm, and the other slightly curved: 500 x 10-15 µm; oxeas, thin, curved: 550 x 2 µm.
Skeleton: Extra-axial : the usual Raspailid structure of single styles surrounded by brushes of oxeas; axial : longitudinal bundles of styles echinated by acanthostyles.
Ecology: Sublittoral down to 400 m, in sedimented localities.
Distribution: Norway, Shetland, Belgium, SW Ireland, NW France, Roscoff.
Etymology: Virgultum (Latin) = bush.
Type specimen information: BMNH 1910.1.1.2352 (slide), Norman Collection.

Remarks

This species has been long considered unrecognizable, but recent specimens from SW Ireland conform to Bowerbank's description. The species is in need of redescription. It stands out among other Raspailia species by the infaunal habit and the possession of long acanthostyles.
Source: Bowerbank, 1866.