Lacey Leaf Tretopleura Sponge Spotted on Unnamed Seamount A

While diving on Unnamed Seamount A investigating the Wentworth Seamount chain of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the team has encountered many large healthy leaf sponges. This ruffled Tretopleura sponge stands over a meter tall capturing food from the currents along the seamount sides! Our expedition aims to document the variety of coral and sponge communities that live along the flanks of these seamounts, which can be hot spots of biological diversity that require a deeper understanding for future conservation.