Once it has caught something, the sponge covers it with a thin membrane and the digestion process begins.
It uses the rhizoid to anchor itself to the soft … This newly-discovered carnivorous sponge (Chondrocladia lyra) was found using robotic submersibles operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 10,000 feet below the surface in dark waters. The Harp sponge or lyre sponge, (Chondrocladia lyra), is a new species of carnivorous deep-sea demosponges first discovered off the California coast living at depths of 10,800–11,500 feet (3,300–3,500 m) by Welton L. Lee, Henry M Reiswig, William C. Austin, and Lonny Lundsten from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).. The harp sponge (Chondrocladia lyra) is the first species of carnivorous sponge identified by marine researchers, about 20 years ago. Chondrocladia lyra, also known as the lyre sponge or harp sponge, is a species of carnivorous deep-sea sponge first discovered off the Californian coast living at depths of 10,800–11,500 feet (3,300–3,500 m) by Welton L. Lee, Henry M Reiswig, William C. Austin, and Lonny Lundsten from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). I have a passion for self-development and of course everything related to our natural ecosystems. So how do they do it?
Yep, a sponge that hunts! The Harp Sponge is slightly different then many other members of their family…they are carnivorous. Habitat: deep sea, depths of around 10,800-11,500 ft./attached to sides of slopes Interesting Facts: The harp sponge was discovered by Welton L. Lee, Henry M. Reiswig, Willaim C. Austin, & Lonny Lundstein from The Monterey Bay Research Institute. Popular by the name Harp Sponge, this is one really extraordinary and incredibly beautiful creature. Each one of these globules are filled with spermatophores, which the Harp Sponge releases into the open water, with the hope that they will fertilize the spores of another Harp Sponge in the area. After all, you don’t typically think of sponges tracking down and consuming living animals (well, other than bacteria and microscopic plankton but that doesn’t really count). Well, if you look at the picture above you will notice many long, criss-crossing “stems” (called vanes in fancy science speak) that gives the sponge their harp-like shape. It attaches to sea floor and sides of slopes using a rhizoid. It traps small crustacean prey with barbed hooks found along its branch-like limbs. Each vane has vertical branches lined with hooks. Ready?Founder and Chief Editor of Facts Legend, Sankalan believes that information should be free. The species was listed among the Top 10 New … So basically, it is how these grounded animals (and I mean grounded in the sense that they actually have a root system holding them in place, not grounded in the sense that they are being punished for missing their curfew) mate with other sponges. Using these deep-diving vessels, a team of researchers led by Senior Research Technician Lonny Lundsten discovered a species of harp sponge called …
In my opinion the most fascinating aspect about the Harp Sponge has to be their appetite for living living animals. Yep, a sponge that hunts! Once their snack is snared, they will quickly envelop them in a specialized cavity where the Harp Sponge will break down their prey into smaller, bite-size pieces – after all, you don’t want to choke your dinner.As you look at the odd harp-like structure, you may be asking yourself what those tiny, white balls are on top of the vanes.
These protruding vanes may look smooth and harmless but in reality they are covered in tiny, velcro-like hooks that will snare any small crustacean (and even some fish) that pass by. Scientists have discovered many of these flesh eating sponges but in 2012 they found an incredibly interesting species of carnivorous sponge known as Chondrocladia lyra. Well, besides being a fashion statement those little globules play a major role in the reproductive success of the sponge. The sponge has a root-like structure known as rhizoid. It is a carniverous sponge. So, let us learn 15 interesting harp sponge facts can find out what they eat, where they live and how they reproduce. Now that’s one hell of a fancy science name but it also has a name that we non-scientific laymen love. He is a dreamer and loves reading, writing, traveling and above all, sleeping.Thanks im doing resaerch on the harp sponge for our 5th grade class and this helped out alot -Lillian Newby* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Let’s face it, this is a pretty important feature for the long term survival of the species, so please don’t pick the spermatophores.I am a digital nomad who enjoys travelling around the globe while inspiring others to leave their comfort zone and improve their life. Sponges are harmless cool creatures – at least that’s what we thought until the discovery of some carnivorous sponges. Harp sponges are known to have between two and six vanes radiating out from a center -- those with more vanes may exist. This particular sponge is known to grow up to 37 cm (1.2 feet) in length, which may not sound like much but for a sponge, that is pretty spectacular; The Harp Sponge is slightly different then many other members of their family…they are carnivorous.