![]() ![]() Although multicellular, sponges have a very simple grade of organization, and the body consists of a loose aggregation of cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix. “The sponge is excellent camouflage and I’ve only stumbled across them by accident unless they’ve been sitting on a sponge with a contrasting colour to their own,” Andrew says.The Phylum Porifera ("pore bearers") contains approximately 5,000 species of animals called sponges. However despite being common, they are difficult to spot – owing to their deceptive headwear, typically nocturnal behaviour and rare ventures into intertidal zones. ![]() “The key character the crabs are looking for is that the sponge is malleable enough to snuggly fit on their back.” Common but camouflagedĪustralia’s coastline is home to 30 species of these striking crustaceans – with more no doubt yet to be discovered – found alongside sponges in shallow waters to depths of 500m, with the most diversity in the tropics. “Some species of sponge crabs show a preference for particular sponge species, but it doesn’t seem to be very strict in general, some will even use colonial ascidians as well as sponges,” Andrew says. And the relationship is not limited to a certain sponge species, these crabs have been known to wear (and replace periodically) sponges of all shapes, colours and sizes – often with quite humorous results.
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