Euplectella

Euplectella is a genus of sponges found in the water. Euplectella is commonly called as glass sponges because of the presence of silica spicules. It looks like Venus’ flower baskets. They are numerous in marine water, deep in the ocean. The bodies of these creatures are bent, tubular, basket-like, or vase-like. The canal system is responsible for water circulation. The canal system is of the syconoid type. They coexist alongside shrimp in a symbiotic way.         

Shrimp and euplectella share a symbiotic interaction. They have a tubular, basket-like body shape, and some of them resemble vases. They feature a canal system that is used to generate water circulation. The Euplectella is classified as part of the Porifera phylum. The Euplectella species Euplectella aspergillum is the most well-known. Euplectella belongs to the class of Hexactinellida and is identified by the skeleton of the triaxon because they have sic rays.

Features of Euplectella 

  • Euplectella have a cylindrical body that resembles a basket, and their tuft filaments attach them to the sea’s bottom. 
  • Water circulation is provided by a well-functioning canal system. 
  • The canal system for euplectella is described in the second. 
  • On both the inside and exterior of the body, there are current channels that are connected to radial channels that open into spongocoel. 
  • Choanocytes line the radial canal in some areas.
  • Shrimp are the descendants of euplectella. 
  • Shrimp are founded on both men and females throughout their lives inside the sponge’s body since they reproduce both sexually and asexually. 
  • In exchange for cleaning the basket, these shrimp receive their food. 
  • After the birth, the offspring go in search of their basket.
  • Triaxon spicules compose the skeleton. Silica spicules are responsible for the genus’ glassy look. 
  • On the euplectella, there are no real Ostia present. 
  • On the outside surface of many perforations’ bodies, there are parietal gaps. 
  • These genera can be found on the rocky region of the seafloor at depths of 100 to 1000 metres. 
  • Euplectella’s reproductive systems are both sexual and asexual. 
  • Examining the binding of the glassy euplectella on the ocean floor produces several long-lasting optical fibres. 
  • Euplectella, a low-cost method, is used to make the majority of efficient solar cells.

Diagram of Euplectella

The euplectella diagram is shown in the image below-