Arctic bell sponge [Heterochone arctica]
Description
The Arctic bell sponge is a deep-sea glass sponge found in Arctic waters. It has a bell shape similar to its relatives and is characterized by a skeleton composed of six-pointed siliceous spicules. This species inhabits soft sediments, anchoring itself in mud. It feeds by filtering particles from the water that flows through its body.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Tetractinellida
Tetractinellida
|
| Family |
Glass Sponges
Petrosiidae
|
| Genus |
Heterochone
Heterochone
|