''Xestospongia testudinaria'' is a species of barrel sponge in the family
Petrosiidae. More commonly known as Giant Barrel Sponges, they have the basic structure of a typical sponge. Their body is made of a reticulation of cells aggregate on a siliceous scaffold composed of small spikes called spicules. Water is taken into the inner chamber of the sponge (known as the spongocoel) through ostia (small pores created by porocytes). Flagellated choanocytes line the inner chamber and help generate water currents through the sponge.
Due to the amount of water that Great Barrel Sponges filter throughout their lifespan, they perform an important ecological role.
Habitat and Niche
This species is found in the Philippines, Australia,
[ western and central Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Malaya and New Caledonia. These sponges are sessile filter feeders, with a very important role in the ecosystem. Giant Barrel Sponges filter a tremendous amount of water throughout their lifespan (some living up to 2000 years) which increases water clarity, controls algae, and affects coral populations. These sponges also serve as a habitat for many other species such as other invertebrates, benthic fish, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.
]
Description
This species is maroon to pink, with the opening of the barrel pale white.
Specimens are often found emerging from an apparent common base. In the intertidal zones, this species ranges from 10 to 20 cm in diameter, and are about 10 to 20 cm tall.
A bioactive peptide consisting of 13 amino acid
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha a ...
s, KENPVLSLVNGMF, has been identified from this species. The peptide was selectively toxic to human cervical cancer cells (HeLa
HeLa (; also Hela or hela) is an immortalized cell line used in scientific research. It is the oldest and most commonly used human cell line. The line is derived from cervical cancer cells taken on February 8, 1951, named after Henrietta ...
), but non-toxic to non-cancerous, human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293 cells
Human embryonic kidney 293 cells, also often referred to as HEK 293, HEK-293, 293 cells, or less precisely as HEK cells, are a specific immortalised cell line derived from a spontaneously miscarried or aborted fetus or human embryonic kidney cel ...
).
Conservation
Currently this species is not considered endangered or threatened by any agencies, however there are a list of potential threats that may effect their survival. Among these threats include fatal diseases such as Sponge Orange Band (SOB), environmental changes, and cyclical bleaching. Researchers are unsure what the cause of SOB is, but evidence supports the hypothesis that environmental changes, rising water temperature in particular, is responsible for the disease.
Taxonomy
''Xestospongia testudinaria var. fistulophora'' Wilson, 1925
References
Further reading
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Animals described in 1815
Petrosina
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