Euplectella aspergillum Owen, 1841

Glass sponge

Species recognized by R van Soest, World Porifera Database external link in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Euplectella aspergillum Owen, 1841

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Euplectella aspergillum Owen, 1841

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General Description

Siliceous skeleton provides support: Venus flower basket

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Skeleton of sponge provides strength with lightweight material via its siliceous composition.

   
  "Despite its inherent mechanical fragility, silica is widely used as a skeletal material in a great diversity of organisms ranging from diatoms and radiolaria to sponges and higher plants. In addition to their micro- and nanoscale structural regularity, many of these hard tissues form complex hierarchically ordered composites. One such example is found in the siliceous skeletal system of the Western Pacific hexactinellid sponge, Euplectella aspergillum. In this species, the skeleton comprises an elaborate cylindrical lattice-like structure with at least six hierarchical levels spanning the length scale from nanometers to centimeters. The basic building blocks are laminated skeletal elements (spicules) that consist of a central proteinaceous axial filament surrounded by alternating concentric domains of consolidated silica nanoparticles and organic interlayers. Two intersecting grids of non-planar cruciform spicules define a locally quadrate, globally cylindrical skeletal lattice that provides the framework onto which other skeletal constituents are deposited. The grids are supported by bundles of spicules that form vertical, horizontal and diagonally ordered struts. The overall cylindrical lattice is capped at its upper end by a terminal sieve plate and rooted into the sea floor at its base by a flexible cluster of barbed fibrillar anchor spicules. External diagonally oriented spiral ridges that extend perpendicular to the surface further strengthen the lattice. A secondarily deposited laminated silica matrix that cements the structure together additionally reinforces the resulting skeletal mass. The mechanical consequences of each of these various levels of structural complexity are discussed." (Weaver et al. 2007:93)
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References
  • Weaver, James C.; Aizenberg, Joanna; Fantner, Georg E.; Kisailus, David; Woesz, Alexander; Allen, Peter; Fields, Kirk; Porter, Michael J.; Zok, Frank W.; Hansma, Paul K.; Fratzl, Peter; Morse, Daniel E. 2007. Hierarchical assembly of the siliceous skeletal lattice of the hexactinellid sponge Euplectella aspergillum. Journal of Structural Biology. 158(1): 93-106.

Light-transmitting fibers: Venus flower basket

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The glass-like fibers of a glass sponge transmit light better than our fiber optics, yet are made from natural materials and at ambient temperatures.

     
  "The thin glassy fibers protruding from the base of the Venus flower basket sponge are better able to transmit light than industrial fiber optic cables used for telecommunication. Additionally, the sponge's fibers are more flexible than the man-made variety. The sponge produces its fibers at low temperatures using natural materials. Trace amounts of sodium are added to the fibers to increase their ability to conduct light. The high temperature required for the manufacture of industrial fiber optics precludes additives such as sodium, and yields a fiber that is brittle and easily broken. Scientists hope, however, to mimic the Venus flower basket's fiber manufacture process, developing a way to produce fiber optics at ambient temperatures." (Courtesy of the Biomimicry Guild)
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References
  • Sundar, VC; Yablon, AD; Grazul, JL; Ilan, M; Aizenberg, J. 2003. Fibre-optical features of a glass sponge. Nature. 424(6951): 899-900.

Filter feeding moves water: Venus flower basket

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Filter feeding mechanism of sponge moves water through body by intaking low and releasing high.

   
  "A sponge takes in water at its base, filtering the food from it and expelling it through holes higher up." (Courtesy of the Biomimicry Guild)
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"Euplectella aspergillum Owen, 1841". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1033413". Accessed 19 Mar 2010.