Hexactinellid
Videos
Hexactinellid sponges are sponges with a skeleton made of four- and/or six-pointed siliceous spicules, often referred to as glass sponges. They are usually classified along with other sponges in the p
Haeckel Hexactinellae
Bolosoma stalked glass sponge
Venus' flower basket, Euplectella aspergillum
Euplectella aspergillum
Venus' flower basket
Videos
The Venus' flower basket is a species of glass sponge found in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, usually at depths below 500 m. Like other glass sponges, they build their skeletons out of silica,
Hexactinellid
…class of sponges has its own threshold of how much outside stimuli, sediments, etc., it can endure before it will stop its feeding process. Species like Venus' flower basket have a tuft of fibers that extends outward like an inverted crown at the bases of their skeletons. These fibers are 50 to 175 millimetres (2.0 to 6.9…
Euplectella aspergillum Okeanos
Euplectella aspergillum
Closeup of intricate lattice of the Venus' flower basket
Euplectella aspergillum at a depth of 2,572 m (8,438 ft)