holymoleculesbatman:Lyre SpongeChondrocladia lyraA spectacular, large, harp- or lyre-shaped carnivor
holymoleculesbatman:Lyre SpongeChondrocladia lyraA spectacular, large, harp- or lyre-shaped carnivorous sponge discovered in deep water (ave. 3399 m) from the northeast Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The harp-shaped structures or vanes number from two to six and each has more than 20 parallel vertical branches, often capped by an expanded, balloon-like, terminal ball. This unusual form maximizes the surface area of the sponge for contact and capture of planktonic prey items. -- source link