Guest Post: The Secret to Flexibility in a Glass Sponge
Guest Post: The Secret to Flexibility in a Glass Sponge avatar

By , on December 7th, 2010 Leave a comment   Adaptations, Evolution, New Research   , , , , , , , ,  

Aquanautix is a PhD marine biologist interested in deep-sea exploration, science, education, and policy. For more posts like these see the new Aquanautix Blog, online since August 2010. ——————————————————————————————- Biomaterial scientists in Europe have discovered the secret to flexibility in the ‘unbreakable’ glass fibers of the deep-sea glass rope sponge Hyalonema sieboldi. “Artificial glassy . . . → Read More: Guest Post: The Secret to Flexibility in a Glass Sponge

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Huge Silicate Sponge Spicules and the Evolution of Calcification
Huge Silicate Sponge Spicules and the Evolution of Calcification avatar

By , on May 27th, 2010 4 comments   Adaptations, Ecology, New Research, Organisms   , , , , , , , , , , ,  

Picture is copyright Emily S. Damstra and used by permission. The deep-sea sponge Monorhaphis chuni (Hexactinellida) has the world’s largest known biosilica structure! A silicate spicule that can grow up to 3 meters long. That’s at least a meter longer than you! I don’t really know how to construe to enormity of such a structure. . . . → Read More: Huge Silicate Sponge Spicules and the Evolution of Calcification

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“Sleezy” sponge sexuality
“Sleezy” sponge sexuality avatar

By , on May 18th, 2009 4 comments   Mating & Reproduction, Organisms   , , , , , , , , , , , ,  

Post by Amanda “not a sponge” Kahn. Amanda Kahn is currently a masters student at well-known Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, considered to be one of the west coast’s premier marine stations. Despite still being in her masters, she is quickly becoming the “go-to” person for deep-sea sponges. Let’s start off “sex week” with the steamy . . . → Read More: “Sleezy” sponge sexuality

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Man Eating Sponges
Man Eating Sponges avatar

By , on December 13th, 2006 5 comments   New Research, New Species   ,  

Be careful there are 9 new species of carnivorous sponges. Luckily they are all deep sea so your chances of encountering one on any day are limited. But when the squid overlords take over they may call upon the sponges for the battle. You may not be scared but Vacelet (2006) describes how these are . . . → Read More: Man Eating Sponges

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