June 24, 2021: Sponge
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. Download larger version (jpg, 554 KB).
This sponge in the family Euplectellidae is likely an undescribed genus and species of animal. Sponges in this family are characterized by having a large central osculum, or opening, which is the opening in the middle of the sponge through which water exits after being filtered for possible food by passing through the sponge’s tissue.
This sponge was imaged while exploring Enrique Seamount, located just east of the Mariana Trench, as part of the 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas.