This intricate demosponge (Haplosclerida), reminiscent of a piece of modern art, is representative of the most common type of sponge seen during Dive 07 of the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Nevertheless, it was unfamiliar to our scientists, so we took a sample of it to see if it’s a new species.
Demosponge
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Download larger version (jpg, 1.6 MB).
This intricate demosponge (Haplosclerida), reminiscent of a piece of modern art, is representative of the most common type of sponge seen during Dive 07 of the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Nevertheless, it was unfamiliar to our scientists, so we took a sample of it to see if it’s a new species.
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