Amphimedon queenslandica
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| Amphimedon queenslandica | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Haplosclerida |
| Family: | Niphatidae |
| Genus: | Amphimedon |
| Species: | A. queenslandica |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphimedon queenslandica | |
Amphimedon queenslandica (formerly known as Reniera sp.[2][3]) is a sponge native to the Great Barrier Reef. Its genome has been sequenced.[4] It has been the subject of various studies on the evolution of metazoan development.[2][5]
A. queenslandica was first discovered in 1998 on Heron Island Reef by Sally Leys when looking for sponges with larvae to study polarity,[6] and was formally described by John Hooper and Rob van Soest in 2006.[1] Like most sponges it has a biphasic life cycle, passing through a planktonic phase whilst a larva, but later becoming a benthic dweller.[6] It is hermaphroditic, and reproduces via spermcast spawning,[4] meaning it releases sperm into water but retains eggs, which are fertilised internally.[7] The embryos develop in brood chambers until they reach a certain size, then disperse as parenchymella larvae.[6][8] During this larval stage, they have a strong preference for darkness.[6][9][3] The sponge is difficult or impossible to maintain in captivity.[6]
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