Macaron Sponge
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- Anchored Life
- Subcategory
- Sponges
- Entries in Sponges
- 11
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- 168
PDA entry
- Symphon macaron. A sponge that has developed a disc of flagellated feeding cells. Named for the dessert sandwich cookie (not available in current fabricator settings).
- 1. Hardened plates
- Instead of a sponge's normal inner and outer layers, the macaron develops two hard plates of pinacoderm. These anchor the feeding disc to a holdfast.
- 2. Feeding disc
- The sponge's mesohyl (internal jelly) has specialized into feeding disc, with tentacled cells that pull particles from the surrounding seawater. This leaves the delicate jelly vulnerable to predators and parasites.
- 3. Hostage exchange
- The feeding disc hosts the larvae of sponge-eating organisms in its pores. By providing a shelter and habitat for their young, the macaron may buy itself a degree of safety and defense. (These larvae are themselves tempting prey for many species.)
- 4. Unusual protein expression
- Many of the cells in the feeding disc express proteins also found in the hosted larvae. This may be a recognition signal to attract the desired species.
- ASSESSMENT: Inedible despite name. Await further updates.
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