The giant volcano sponge (Anoxycalyx joubini) is a species of Antarctic sponge.[1] It is one of the largest sponges in the world which can grow up to a diameter of 1.5 metres (5 feet) and 1.95 metres (6.5 feet) in height.[2] The species may have an extremely long lifespan, with estimates of up to 15,000 years.[3] A. joubini occurs in deeper waters than the similar species Cinachyra antarctica, which is also very long-lived. Antarctic sponges live at 100–2,000 m (330–6,560 ft) below the surface, in extremely cold temperatures and constant pressure. This may slow down their growth rate and other biological processes because one caught specimen of A. joubini did not show any growth in a span of 10 years.[4]

Anoxycalyx joubini
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Hexactinellida
Order: Lyssacinosida
Family: Rossellidae
Genus: Anoxycalyx
Species:
A. joubini
Binomial name
Anoxycalyx joubini
(Topsent, 1916)
Synonyms[1]
  • Scolymastra joubini Topsent, 1916

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Anoxycalyx joubini". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Giant Volcano Sponge of Antarctica".
  3. ^ Gatti, Susanne (1 January 2002). "The role of sponges in high-Antarctic carbon and silicon cycling- a modelling approach (Die Rolle der Schwämme im hochantarktischen Kohlenstoff- und Silikatkreislauf - ein Modellierungsansatz)" (PDF). Reports on Polar and Marine Research: 124 pages. doi:10.2312/BzPM_0434_2002. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  4. ^ Dayton, Paul K.; Kim, Stacy; Jarrell, Shannon C.; Oliver, John S.; Hammerstrom, Kamille; Fisher, Jennifer L.; O’Connor, Kevin; Barber, Julie S.; Robilliard, Gordon; Barry, James; Thurber, Andrew R.; Conlan, Kathy (27 February 2013). "Recruitment, Growth and Mortality of an Antarctic Hexactinellid Sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini". PLOS ONE. 8 (2): e56939. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056939. PMC 3584113. PMID 23460822.