Photo: The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/Schmidt Ocean Institute
Sponges are among the simplest and seemingly most harmless animals on Earth, but a newly discovered species found in Antarctic waters tells a different story. A carnivorous “death ball” sponge, along with around 30 other new species, was discovered as part of the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census project, Science Alert reports.
The newly identified species belongs to the genus Chondrocladia, commonly known as “ping-pong ball sponges.” The name comes from their appearance, as they resemble clusters of small spherical bulbs connected by thin stalks.
Despite their innocuous look, these sponges are predators. Their surfaces are covered with tiny hook-like structures that trap small prey, such as passing crustaceans.
The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census initiative was launched in 2013 with the goal of cataloging previously unknown life forms inhabiting the Southern Ocean. Earlier this year, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian discovered the sponge “death balls” at a depth of 3,601 meters in a trench east of Montagu Island, part of one of the most remote island chains on Earth.
The sponges were not the only new discoveries. Researchers also identified new species of scale worms with shimmering armored coverings, as well as previously unknown crustaceans and sea stars.
“The Southern Ocean remains extremely underexplored. So far, we have assessed less than 30% of the samples collected during this expedition, and the confirmation of 30 new species already highlights just how much undocumented biodiversity still exists,” said Michelle Taylor, head of science at Ocean Census.
