Impressive Poliopogon Sponge with Tiny Snails

Our Corps of Exploration found these impressive Poliopogon sponges while exploring an unnamed seamount during our E Mamana Ou Gataifale II expedition in the waters of American Samoa. The slopes of seamounts tend to be hotspots for sponges because their structure above the surrounding seafloor often leads to upwelling currents, carrying more marine snow for filter-feeding creatures to eat. Get up close and personal with the details of these two sponges in this highlight video. With so much left to learn about individual species in the deep ocean, exploration also reveals surprising relationships between associated species like these tiny snails that make these sponges their home. 

The E Mamana Ou Gataifale II expedition (NA165) is led by Ocean Exploration Trust and funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Uncrewed Systems Operations Center, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and with support from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Air/Sea Heritage Foundation.