Amphimedon queenslandica
Encyclopedia
Amphimedon queenslandica (formerly known as Reniera sp.) is a sponge native to the Great Barrier Reef
. Its genome has been sequenced. It has been the subject of various studies on the evolution
of metazoan development
.
A. queenslandica was first discovered in 1998 on Heron Island Reef by Sally Leys during a survey of sponge species, and was formally described by John Hooper and Rob van Soest in 2006. Like most sponges, it has a biphasic life cycle, passing through a plankton
ic phase whilst a larva, but later becoming a benthic dweller. It is hermaphroditic, and reproduces via spermcast spawning, meaning it releases sperm into water but retains eggs, which are fertilised internally. The embryos develop in brood chambers until they reach a certain size, then disperse as parenchymella larvae. During this larval stage, they have a strong preference for darkness.
As the first sponge to have its genome sequenced, there is significant scientific interest in this species; however it is difficult or impossible to maintain in captivity.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
. Its genome has been sequenced. It has been the subject of various studies on the evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
of metazoan development
Developmental biology
Developmental biology is the study of the process by which organisms grow and develop. Modern developmental biology studies the genetic control of cell growth, differentiation and "morphogenesis", which is the process that gives rise to tissues, organs and anatomy.- Related fields of study...
.
A. queenslandica was first discovered in 1998 on Heron Island Reef by Sally Leys during a survey of sponge species, and was formally described by John Hooper and Rob van Soest in 2006. Like most sponges, it has a biphasic life cycle, passing through a plankton
Plankton
Plankton are any drifting organisms that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. That is, plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification...
ic phase whilst a larva, but later becoming a benthic dweller. It is hermaphroditic, and reproduces via spermcast spawning, meaning it releases sperm into water but retains eggs, which are fertilised internally. The embryos develop in brood chambers until they reach a certain size, then disperse as parenchymella larvae. During this larval stage, they have a strong preference for darkness.
As the first sponge to have its genome sequenced, there is significant scientific interest in this species; however it is difficult or impossible to maintain in captivity.