Clathrina

/klæ.θə.ˈriː.nə/ noun

Definition

A genus of glass sponges characterized by latticed skeletal structures made of silica.

Etymology

From Latin 'clathri' (latticework) + '-ina' (scientific diminutive suffix). This is a taxonomic genus name for a particular group of delicate sponges.

Kelly Says

Glass sponges like those in Clathrina can live for thousands of years and barely move—they're like the oldest, slowest sea creatures, silently filtering the ocean since before human civilization.

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