Chondrocladia lyra, also known as the lyre sponge or harp sponge, is a species of carnivorous deep-sea sponge first discovered off the Californian coast living at depths of 10,800–11,500 feet (3,300–3,500 m) by Welton L. Lee, Henry M Reiswig, William C. Austin, and Lonny Lundsten from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).

Oct 31, 2012 · Ten thousand feet below the ocean’s surface, the seafloor is a dark, desolate, and dangerous place where even the most benign-looking creatures can be deadly predators. Recently, a team of scientists discovered an unlikely new carnivorous species— the harp sponge (Chondrocladia lyra).

Chondrocladia sponges are stipitate, with a stalk frequently anchored in the substrate by rhizoids and an egg-shaped body, sometimes with branches that end in inflatable spheres. [5] [6] Fossils assignable to this genus are known since the Pleistocene, [7] less than 2 million years ago.

Feb 19, 2024 · Harp sponges, scientifically known as Chondrocladia lyra, are a unique and fascinating species of deep-sea sponge found in various oceanic regions around the world. These sponges belong to the family Cladorhizidae and are characterized by their striking resemblance to musical instruments, particularly harps, hence their common name.

Nov 8, 2012 · The meat-eating species was dubbed the "harp sponge," so-called because its structure resembles a harp or lyre turned on its side. A team from the Monterey Bay Research Aquarium Institute in Moss...

The sponge’s elegant structure, which it likely evolved to maximize the area available for snaring food, inspired scientists to name the carnivorous deep-sea predator the harp sponge (Chondrocladia lyra).

This newly-discovered carnivorous sponge (Chondrocladia lyra) was found using robotic submersibles operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 10,000 feet below the surface in dark waters. It traps small crustacean prey …

Nov 5, 2012 · The new species is named the harp sponge, or Chondrocladia lyra, because its basic structure is shaped like a lyre or harp. Typically, sponges feed by straining bacteria and bits of organic material from the seawater they filter through their bodies. However, C. …

The Chondrocladia lyra is named the harp sponge because its basic structure resembles a harp or lyre. It is a sessile organism which anchors itself to the soft seafloor using a rhizoid, a root-like structure that embeds into the sea floor.

Apr 13, 2025 · Chondrocladia lyra (Lyre Sponge): Named for its resemblance to a lyre, this sponge features vertical vanes with filaments that capture prey drifting in the deep-sea currents. It is a beautiful example of the intricate adaptations that allow carnivorous sponges to thrive.