New Zealand's ballerina sponge dances its way to the top 10 new marine species of 2022 list

Community Press
April 13, 2023
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Latrunculia (Latrunculia) tutu sp. nov. spicule against a background of other Latrunculid species. (Image: NIWA)

Move over Black Swan, there's a new ballerina in town, and it's a sponge. The Ballerina sponge, scientifically known as Latrunculia (Latrunculia) tutu, has been named as one of the top 10 new marine species of 2022. The fossilised sponge was recently discovered in New Zealand, and taxonomists Michelle Kelly and Carina Sim-Smith from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), described it from a microfossil spicule, a needle-like structure that sponges use as a structural skeleton and defence mechanism against predators, media release from NIWA said on Tuesday.

A 35-million-year-old fossilised sponge from NZ has been named as one of the top 10 new marine species of 2022.

Latrunculia tutu, more affectionately known as the ballerina sponge, was described by NIWA scientists. 🩰

Read the full story here 👉 https://t.co/qpzmrqb69s pic.twitter.com/BXqz0XeWal
— NIWA (@niwa_nz) April 12, 2023

The Ballerina sponge's microskeleton, which resembles the skirt of a ballerina, is a marvel to behold. The spicule shows a wonderful structure with a pair of whorls around the middle that resemble a ballerina's bodice and skirt, and a small ring of spines at the top that resembles a crown. This 35-million-year-old specimen was chosen from 2,000 newly described species for the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) annual top 10 list.

Although the Ballerina sponge has only been found at one location in a fossilised form, similar Latrunculia species are alive and thriving in New Zealand and Antarctica. These sponges are often colorful, ranging from green to turquoise blue, purple, or brown, and some even contain molecules with anticancer and antimicrobial properties.

NIWA scientists described the Ballerina sponge as part of their 2022 Biodiversity Memoir, an illustrated reference work that captures the study of New Zealand's unique marine fauna and flora. The publication features a collection of newly discovered species, including other fascinating creatures like the Satan's Mud Dragon, Japanese Retweet Mite, and Fluffy Sponge Crab.

The selection process for the top 10 new marine species of 2022 involved a committee of volunteers who shortlisted species to reflect the diversity of animal groups in the marine environment, including those of interest to both science and the public. The final decision was determined by public vote.