Siphonia koenigi

Siphonia koenigi is named in honour of Charles Dietrich Eberhard Koenig who was Keeper in the Department of Natural History at the British Museum 1813–1851. He died on 29 August, 1851.

This sponge is often found as a fossil in the Chalk of England - a stratigraphical unit. Most specimens are preserved in flint nodules, making them one of the most common fossils found in southern England.

They are usually pear-shaped, and the preserved canal system is what many people find fascinating.

Species detail

Taxonomy and biology

This sponge fed by pumping water through internal canals and chambers inside its pear-shaped body. Find out more, including what gave Siphonia koenigi its shape.
Distribution and conservation

Siphonia koenigi lived in deep seas over 120 million years ago. Fossilised Siphonia koenigi is now commonly found in the chalk cliffs on the south coast of England.

Images

Siphonia koenigi.

Charles Konig (1774–1851)

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About the author

Dr Martin Munt

Collections manager in the Invertebrates and Plants Division, Earth Sciences department.

Related information

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References

Smith, A B and Batten, D J 2002. Fossils of the Chalk. Palaeontological Association Field Guide to Fossils. The Palaeontological Association. London. 374pp.