Citation: Könnecker, G. 1973 Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland - 1 (Section A: Faunistic and Ecological Studies). The sponge fauna of Kilkieran Bay and adjacent areas. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 73B: 451-472
Number of Pages: 22
Volume Part: 26
Keywords: Alga, Checklist, Community, Connemara, Ecology, Galway, Marine, Mollusca, Porifera, Seaweed, Sedimentology, Sponge, Sublittoral, Survey
Abstract: This paper reports on a study of sublittoral sponges in the Galway Bay area in 1970-71. Sixty-six species are recorded, twelve of which are additions to the Irish fauna. Seven associations of epifaunal organisms are recognised and described: the Laminaria saccharina, L. hyperborea (I), L. hyperborea (II), Axinella dissimilis, Lithothamnium (sic), Musculus discors and Raspailia - Stelligera Associations. Some ecological factors having a possible influence on sponge distribution are briefly discussed. Each of 30 stations is described and species presence noted in tabular form.