Beaufort Sea Glass Sponge [Aphrocallistes beatrix]
Description
The Beaufort Sea Glass Sponge is a species of glass sponge that can be found in the Arctic Ocean. It is a filter feeder, and its skeleton is composed of a network of silica spicules. It is usually found in deep waters, on hard substrates. It has a bell-shaped body with a wide osculum at the top. The body is covered with spicules forming a mesh-like structure, giving the sponge its glass-like appearance. Its color varies from white to light yellow.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Tetractinellida
Tetractinellida
|
| Family |
Glass Sponges
Petrosiidae
|
| Genus |
Aphrocallistes
Aphrocallistes
|