Glass sponges reproduce by releasing larvae into the water. These larvae are carried by currents until they find a suitable surface to settle on and grow.
Glass Sponge Reproduction Explained
Glass sponges utilize a method of reproduction involving free-swimming larvae. The process can be broken down as follows:
- Release of Larvae: Glass sponges release their "babies" into the water. These are tiny, swimming larvae.
- Dispersal: The larvae are carried by ocean currents, allowing them to disperse and find new locations.
- Settlement and Growth: If a larva lands on a suitable surface, such as another glass sponge or a rock, it will transform. It will then grow into a small replica of the adult sponge. This allows for the continuation and expansion of glass sponge populations.
In essence, glass sponge reproduction hinges on the release and dispersal of larvae, which eventually settle and mature into new sponges.
