Amphimedon queenslandica

Amphimedon queenslandica is a sponge species native to the Great Barrier Reef, first discovered in 1998 on Heron Island Reef. This species is notable for its biphasic life cycle, beginning with a planktonic larval stage before settling as a benthic organism. The larvae, known as parenchymella, exhibit a strong preference for darkness during their development. Amphimedon queenslandica is hermaphroditic, employing spermcast spawning for reproduction. This involves releasing sperm into the water while retaining eggs for internal fertilization. The embryos develop in brood chambers until they reach a suitable size to disperse as larvae. Maintaining this sponge in captivity has proven challenging, if not impossible. The genome of Amphimedon queenslandica was sequenced in 2009, marking it as the first sponge species to undergo such analysis. This sequencing has provided valuable insights into the evolution of animal complexity and has been pivotal in studies concerning the evolution of metazoan development. As a sessile organism, it remains attached to the substrate, filtering nutrients from the surrounding water.