A new species has been discovered in Calfornia's Monterey Bay. Our Amazing Planet reported that an interesting looking sea creature that resembles a harp has been called the "harp sponge." It's scientific name is Chondrocladia lyra.
Our Amazing Planet reported that a group from Monterey Bay Research Aquarium Institute were first to see the sponge in the year 2000 when exploring the bay. The sponges, which live about 2 miles below the surface were a surprise to the team as the group had not seen anything quite like it before.
The researches findings were published in the journal Invertebrate Biology and their findings included that the sponge had barbed hooks that cover its limbs. These are for "snaring crustaceans as they are swept into its branches by deep-sea currents.Once the harp sponge has its meal, it envelops the animal in a thin membrane, and then slowly begins to digest its prey," reported Our Amazing Planet.
Their research on the creature found others like that species. The first harp sponges researchers found only had two branches, or vanes, and other dives showed sponges with up to six.
"The biggest were 14 inches (36 centimeters) tall. The team believes the harp sponge evolved this elaborate, candelabra-like structure to increase the surface area it exposes to currents so it can capture more prey," reported Our Amazing Planet.
One of the first to see the harp sponge was Lonny Ludsten who is a biologist at the institute. He said to Our Amazing Planet,
"We were just amazed. No one had ever seen this animal with their own eyes before."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
