🌊 Meet Cinachyrella alloclada! This orange ball sponge, seen here with budding mini-clones alongside red algae, tube worms, and coral, reproduces sexually (free-swimming larvae) and asexually (budding). Its 🧬 genetics power bioactive compounds that deter predators and rivals. 💛🪸🦑
📸: Heidi Thoricht
10 months ago