Plenaster Explained

Plenaster is a monotypic genus of sponges in the family Stelligeridae.^[1] Plenaster craigi is the sole species. It lives on rocks on the Pacific Ocean seafloor.^{[2] [3]}

Plenaster craigi have been named after the star like skeletal spicules inside their bodies.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Plenaster . 1037071 . 13 June 2021.
2. News: Lim. Xiaozhi. New Species of Sponges Found on the Pacific Seafloor. The New York Times. 25 October 2017.
3. News: Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Sponge Could Be the Canary in the Seabed Mine. News Deeply. 25 October 2017.
4. News: Discovery of a new group of sponges could help measure impact of deep-sea mining. Science Daily. 25 October 2017.
5. News: New deep-sea sponge could play a starring role in monitoring ocean health. Science News. 25 October 2017.