Hymeniacidon perlevis - Piekjesspons

Hymeniacidon perlevis  (Montagu, 1814)

Piekjesspons 

Synonym: Bleke piekjesspons

This is one of the most pluriform species of sponges in the Netherlands. There are three varieties, with some intermediate shapes: 

• with pointed protrusions (from which the species takes its Dutch name)
• branched- or hand-shaped
• crust-forming (one which was often confused with Mycale (Carmia) micracanthoxea)

Variety with pointed protrusions

Bergse Diepsluis, the Netherlands, 27-4-2024. Specimen A. (1)

Bergse Diepsluis, the Netherlands, 27-4-2024. Specimen A. (1)

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 25-3-2025. 

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 27-10-2018. With Polycera quadrilineata (Harlequin - Harlekijnslak).

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 2-1-2017. Specimen B.

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 2-1-2017. Specimen B.

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 2-1-2017. Specimen B.

Wolphaartsdijk -  Zuidvlietpolderweg, the Netherlands, 12-10-2018. (2)

Blokkendam, the Netherlands, 27-9-2017. (2)

Blokkendam, the Netherlands, 22-9-2020.

Blokkendam, the Netherlands, 27-9-2017. (2)

Blokkendam, the Netherlands, 27-9-2017. (2)

Blokkendam, the Netherlands, 27-9-2017. (2)

Branched- or hand-shaped variety

Wolphaartsdijk -  Zuidvlietpolderweg, Veerse Meer, the Netherlands, 15-10-2019. With some sea squirts and hydroids. (4)

Wemeldinge - haven, the Netherlands, 18-8-2018. With juvenile Metridium senile (Plumose anemone -Zeeanjelier).

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 18-7-2024.

Den Osse - Nieuwe Kerkweg, the Netherlands, 19-10-2021.

Slikken van Flakkee, the Netherlands, 20-8-2021.

Den Osse - Nieuwe Kerkweg, the Netherlands, 9-10-2019. Specimen C. With sea squirts. (2)

Den Osse - Nieuwe Kerkweg, the Netherlands, 9-10-2019. Specimen C. (2)

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 18-11-2019. (4)

Wemeldinge - haven, the Netherlands, 13-8-2022. With Tricellaria inopinata (Onverwacht mosdiertje). (4)

Bergse Diepsluis, the Netherlands, 13-11-2017.

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 16-2-2016.

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 21-2-2018.

Crust forming variety

Stavenisse - Oostnol-Keetenweg, the Netherlands, 24-9-2020. Specimen D. (4)

Stavenisse - Oostnol-Keetenweg, the Netherlands, 24-9-2020. Specimen D with Porcellana platycheles  (Broad-clawed porcelain crab - Harige porseleinkrab). (4)

Stavenisse - Oostnol-Keetenweg, the Netherlands, 24-9-2020. Specimen D. (4)

Kattendijke, the Netherlands, 24-3-2007. Specimens E. (4)

Kattendijke, the Netherlands, 24-3-2007. Specimens E. (4)

Kattendijke, the Netherlands, 24-3-2007. Specimens E. (4)

Kattendijke, the Netherlands, 24-3-2007. Specimens E. (4)

Neeltje Jans - Getijdenpoel, the Netherlands, 4-6-2019. Specimen F. (4)

Neeltje Jans - Getijdenpoel, the Netherlands, 4-6-2019. Specimen F. (4)

Neeltje Jans - Getijdenpoel, the Netherlands, 1-12-2018. Pale orange specimen fighting for space against  Halichondria panicea (Breadcumb sponge - Broodspons).

Kattendijke, the Netherlands, 18-1-2020. (4)

Wolphaartsdijk - Wolphaartdijkse Veer, the Netherlands, 14-8-2018. (4)

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 24-9-2018. On Magallana gigas (Pacific cupped oyster - Japanse oester).

Zoetersbout, the Netherlands, 17-3-2016. Probably on Balanus crenatus (Wrinkled barnacle - Gekartelde zeepok). (4)

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 19-7-2019. 

Sint-Annaland, the Netherlands, 19-3-2019. On Magallana gigas (Pacific cupped oyster - Japanse oester).

Zeelandbrug, the Netherlands, 24-3-2011. With Ophiothrix fragilis (Common brittle star - Brokkelster).

Bergse Diepsluis - mussel farm, the Netherlands, 24-11-2014. With at the right Didemnum vexillum (Compound sea squirt - Druipzakpijp).

Bergse Diepsluis - mussel farm, the Netherlands, 24-11-2014. Specimen G.

Bergse Diepsluis - mussel farm, the Netherlands, 24-11-2014. Specimen G, with Ianiropsis serricaudis  (Japanse zeepissebed).

Wemeldinge - haven, the Netherlands, 18-8-2018. (3)

Slikken van Flakkee, the Netherlands, 20-8-2021. Orange specimen in the middle left and probably the yellow specimen in the top right.

't Koepeltje, the Netherlands, 26-10-2022. 

Lanvéoc - est, France, 29-5-2022.

Wemeldinge - haven, the Netherlands, 18-8-2018. This species left and upper left (orange specimens),  with at the bottom right Mycale micracanthoxea (Gele aderspons), Leucosolenia variabilis (Witte buisjesspons) in the middle and several species of sea squirts.

(1) Identification: sampled and spicula-checked by Mikkel Suijker

(2) Identification: visually confirmed by Floris Bennema

(3) Identification: visually confirmed by Mikkel Suijker 

(4) Identification: visually confirmed by Mikkel Suijker & Floris Bennema