Harp Sponge [Chondrocladia lyra]
Description
The Harp sponge is a carnivorous deep-sea species discovered off the coast of California. It gets its name from its unique structure which resembles a harp. The sponge grows on soft sediments at depths of 10,800 to 11,500 feet. It has vertical branches supporting horizontal bar-like structures, from which further vertical branches grow, giving it a lyre shape. The sponge captures small prey with tiny hook-like spicules covering its surface. It then envelops the prey in a thin layer of cells and begins to digest it.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Tetractinellida
Tetractinellida
|
| Family |
Carnivorous Sponges
Cladorhizidae
|
| Genus |
Chondrocladia
Chondrocladia
|