Behaviour
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As a general sponge, Amphimedon Queenslandica acquires food and oxygen via flagellated collar cells.
These cells resemble, but are not choanocytes, which lie in distinct chambers within the inner cell
layer of the sponge referred to as the choanoderm (degnan et al. 2010; Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004).
Their diet consists of microbes and particulate organic matter (degnan et al 2010).
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(adapted from, Hickman et al. 2004)
A.queenslandica has a biphasic lifecycle like most marine invertebrates, including both planktonic and benthic phases (Degnan & Degnan 2006). The larvae occur in the plankton phase, including a ciliated parenchmella larvae planula- like form, and the juveniles and adults in the benthic phase. They disperse during a planktonic larval phase, settle in according to inductive cues to begin their benthic phase, ward off potential competitiors, mature and ensure their brooded eggs are internally fertilised by corresponding sperm to produce a parenchymella larvae (Degnan et al 2010).
(adapted from, Degnan & Degnan 2006)
Once the larvae has emerged they are relatively large and seem unable to settle for at least 4 hours after emergence. The larvae also have great sensory abilities explored by Leys and Degnan observing them to be negatively phototactic (go towards dark areas) up to 24-hours post emergence This response has been observed to diminish as the larvae gets older (Leys & Degnan 2002).
(adapted from, Degnan & Degnan 2010)
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