The finger sponge (Haliclona oculata) or mermaid’s glove as it is known in Britain is appropriately named as it looks like fingers reaching up from the ocean floor. This is a common sponge students collect from the benthic community while onboard our research vessel.
· Permanently attached to the bottom.
- Two different sized pores; tiny pores allow water and food to enter; larger pores allow waste to be released.
- Has no nervous system nor distinct tissues or organs.
- Predators include spiny sunstars and sea slugs.
If you are interested in giving your students an experience of a lifetime collecting live marine animals, check out our website for information on booking a field course, www.huntsmanmarine.ca/html/education.html.
Finger sponge covered with skeleton shrimp.
Note the attachment to the rock.
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