User:Tds10/Desmacella hyalina

Desmacella hyalina is a species of the demospongiae class and phylum porifera. These are known to be encrusting sponges meaning they will attach to a surface and live their life out there. In this case, the surface that Desmacella hyalina attaches to is a glass sponge. It has not been said if these sponges live symbiotically with one another or if they just happen to live in the same area and are competing with one another for space. When the species was discovered there was three color morphotypes (yellow, white and mauve) and the yellow and mauve morphotypes were of the species Desmacella schmidt but the white morphotype was of Desmacella hyalina. This Demospongiae species is only known to reside in one place as of right now, there are current on going expeditions to find out if they live elsewhere(Zhongming et al., 2020). Right now, the only place these organisms are known to reside is off the Coast of British Columbia. The species is said to produce vivaprious larvae(NatureServe 2.0 and Ayling 1980). Where ever these sponges attach to using their spicules, is where they usually tend to live out their lives until they ultimately die.

Spicules of Demospongiae species
The spicules shown in the picture on this page are of the skeletal system present in the Demospongiae species. These spicules are formed enzymatically by the anabolic enzyme silicatein and the catabolic enzyme silicate (Müller et al., 2007). The spicules of Demospongiae contain a central axil filament and an axil filament that hold the silicatein. Further discovery showed that the spicules are in a net formed of collagen fibers which holds them in place. The function of these spicules are so the Demospongiae and other sponge species can sttach to things. In the case of Desmacella Hyalina the spicules are used to attach to glass sponges where they live and eat until they die.

Taxonomic description

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Porifera
 * Class: Demospongiae
 * Order: Poecilosclerida
 * Family: Desmacellidae
 * Genus: Desmacella
 * Species: Hyalina

Habitats
Desmacella hyalina is only found off the coast of British Columbia (Law et al.,2020). This sponge lives in glass sponge reefs where they tend to encrust glass sponge species. The reefs these sponges are found in are protected reefs within the Hecate strait and Queen Charlotte sound glass reef sponge marine protected area. The only reason these sponges are only found off the coast of British Columbia is because they were just discovered and scientist are unsure if they reside anywhere else. The distribution of Desmacella hyalina may be incomplete. They tend to like cooler waters that are oxygenated and have high silaceous content. These waters also need to be highly sedimented with tons of particles. They tend to live in the benthos to the macrobenthos in reefs on the continental shelf.

Feeding
Desmacella hyalina is a filter and suspension feeder. This is due to them encrusting the surface of glass sponges. They feed on sediments present in the water column. They are able to obtain their food because of the tentacle-like appendages present near the mouth of the organism (NatureServe explorer 2.0).

Reproduction
Desmacella hyalina produces viviparous larvae and are asexual (Ayling,1980). This means that the young will live inside the parent until they ultimately detach and find a surface to make their own. Having these viviparous larvae produced is thought to be an adaptation to living in environments with high levels of disturbance.

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