March 27, 2021: “Gramophone” Sponge
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2015 Hohonu Moana. Download larger version (jpg, 975 KB).
This “gramophone” sponge, seen during a 2015 Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deep Waters off Hawaiʻi expedition dive to explore Kanehunamoku Seamount north of French Frigate Shoals, was new to science. While scientists determined it is a glass sponge belonging to the Family Euretidae, it belongs to a new, not-yet described genus and species.
Given how little of our ocean is explored, it is not uncommon for us to see new, previously unknown animals during our dives and each new discovery and observation enhances our basic understanding of the marine environment.