Spiculosiphon oceana is a giant species of foraminifera (a phylum of unicellular eukaryotes). Its appearance and lifestyle mimics that of a sponge. It was discovered in 2013 in underwater caves 30 miles off the coast of Spain.
SEM images of sponge spicules covering the stalks of S. oceana
Description
At (4 to 5 centimetres (1.6 to 2.0 in)) long, Spiculosiphon oceana is the largest foraminifera found in the Mediterranean. The species creates a test (shell) made out of sponge spicules, "gluing" them together with a protein it secretes, much like sponges do.[1] The spicules it uses are carefully selected and laid parallel to the main stalk of the creature.[2] Because of its large size and its appearance, S. oceana was originally mistaken as a multi-cellular animal from the sponge family.[1]
Spiculosiphon oceana lives on the sea floor. It lies in wait and extends its pseudopods outside its shell to capture prey, primarily plankton, that get trapped on the spicules of its shell.[3] Thus, it captures prey much in the same way as carnivorous sponges. In addition to the visual and lifestyle similarities of S. oceana and sponges, the creatures live in similar habitats. Thus, it is likely a case on convergent evolution dictated by the environmental constraints.[2]
Spiculosiphon oceana was on the Seco de Palos seamount, 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Spain. It was formally described in the June 10, 2013 issue of Zootaxa. The specific name is a reference to the non-profit group Oceana who co-discovered the species with Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC).[1]
Spiculosiphon oceana is the second species of Spiculosiphon, the first being Spiculosiphon radiata. S. oceana is roughly twice the size of its sister species, which was found in Norway.[1]
References
^ abcd"A giant protozoon that imitates a carnivorous sponge has been discovered" (Press release). Oceana. June 10, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
^ abMaldonado, M.; López-Acosta, M. A.; Sitjà, C. L.; Aguilar, R.; García, S.; Vacelet, J. (2013). "A giant foraminifer that converges to the feeding strategy of carnivorous sponges: Spiculosiphon oceana sp. nov. (Foraminifera, Astrorhizida)". Zootaxa. 3669 (4): 571–84. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3669.4.9. hdl:10261/92975. PMID 26312358.
^ abLawrence LeBlond (May 22, 2014). "Rich Biodiversity Of Species Makes Annual Top Ten List Of Discoveries". Red Orbit. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
January 31, 2023
spiculosiphon, oceana, giant, species, foraminifera, phylum, unicellular, eukaryotes, appearance, lifestyle, mimics, that, sponge, discovered, 2013, underwater, caves, miles, coast, spain, scientific, classification, unranked, unranked, rhizariaphylum, foramin. Spiculosiphon oceana is a giant species of foraminifera a phylum of unicellular eukaryotes Its appearance and lifestyle mimics that of a sponge It was discovered in 2013 in underwater caves 30 miles off the coast of Spain Spiculosiphon oceanaScientific classification unranked SAR unranked RhizariaPhylum ForaminiferaClass MonothalameaOrder AstrorhizidaFamily StegnamminidaeGenus SpiculosiphonSpecies S oceanaBinomial nameSpiculosiphon oceana Maldonado 2013 Type specimens of Spiculosiphon oceana SEM images of sponge spicules covering the stalks of S oceanaDescription EditAt 4 to 5 centimetres 1 6 to 2 0 in long Spiculosiphon oceana is the largest foraminifera found in the Mediterranean The species creates a test shell made out of sponge spicules gluing them together with a protein it secretes much like sponges do 1 The spicules it uses are carefully selected and laid parallel to the main stalk of the creature 2 Because of its large size and its appearance S oceana was originally mistaken as a multi cellular animal from the sponge family 1 Spiculosiphon oceana lives on the sea floor It lies in wait and extends its pseudopods outside its shell to capture prey primarily plankton that get trapped on the spicules of its shell 3 Thus it captures prey much in the same way as carnivorous sponges In addition to the visual and lifestyle similarities of S oceana and sponges the creatures live in similar habitats Thus it is likely a case on convergent evolution dictated by the environmental constraints 2 In May 2014 The International Institute for Species Exploration selected S oceana as one of the Top 10 New Species of the previous year 3 Discovery and taxonomic history EditSpiculosiphon oceana was on the Seco de Palos seamount 30 miles 48 km southeast of Spain It was formally described in the June 10 2013 issue of Zootaxa The specific name is a reference to the non profit group Oceana who co discovered the species with Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes CEAB CSIC 1 Spiculosiphon oceana is the second species of Spiculosiphon the first being Spiculosiphon radiata S oceana is roughly twice the size of its sister species which was found in Norway 1 References Edit a b c d A giant protozoon that imitates a carnivorous sponge has been discovered Press release Oceana June 10 2013 Retrieved June 1 2014 a b Maldonado M Lopez Acosta M A Sitja C L Aguilar R Garcia S Vacelet J 2013 A giant foraminifer that converges to the feeding strategy of carnivorous sponges Spiculosiphon oceana sp nov Foraminifera Astrorhizida Zootaxa 3669 4 571 84 doi 10 11646 zootaxa 3669 4 9 hdl 10261 92975 PMID 26312358 a b Lawrence LeBlond May 22 2014 Rich Biodiversity Of Species Makes Annual Top Ten List Of Discoveries Red Orbit Retrieved June 1 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spiculosiphon oceana amp oldid 1130714242, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
