Ping Pong Tree Sponge [Chondrocladia lampadiglobus]
Description
The Ping Pong Tree sponge, also known as the Lantern Globular sponge, is a deep-sea carnivorous sponge living at depths of nearly 9,000 feet. It gets its name from its unique spherical branches that resemble ping pong balls. The branches are covered with hook-like spicules which it uses to capture small prey like tiny crustaceans. Once captured, the prey is enveloped in a membrane where it is slowly digested. This sponge is mainly found in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Tetractinellida
Tetractinellida
|
| Family |
Carnivorous Sponges
Cladorhizidae
|
| Genus |
Chondrocladia
Chondrocladia
|