Mad as a Marine Biologist

oceanportal:

This strange-looking deep sea harp sponge is carnivorous!

Typically, sponges feed by straining bacteria and bits of organic material from the seawater they filter through their bodies. However, carnivorous harp sponges snare their prey—tiny crustaceans—with barbed hooks that cover the sponge’s branching limbs. Once the harp sponge has its prey in its clutches, it envelops the animal in a thin membrane, and then slowly begins to digest it.

Photo: Courtesy of MBARI

(via Scientists describe extroardinary new carnivorous sponge)

(via oceanportal)

science sponge deep sea deep sea animals sponges new species ocean

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