Scientists discover sea sponge "sneezes" and shrinks seasonally, adapting to ocean conditions.

Researchers observed a sea sponge, named Belinda, off the coast of British Columbia, revealing it can perform "sneeze-like" contractions to clear debris accumulated from filter feeding. The sponge contracts to half its size during winter months, entering a dormant state likely due to a lack of food. The study, published in Marine Ecology Progress Series, marks the longest continuous recording of sea sponges in the wild and highlights their response to changing environments. Researchers hope to continue monitoring to better understand how sea sponges adapt to ocean conditions.

3 months ago
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