Do you have a cool name for a sea sponge? This is a really exciting time for the Galapagos Islands, as three new species of sea sponge have been discovered. Now is your chance to name one of these species!
The Galapagos Conservancy is auctioning naming rights to the sponges, and there’s still time for you to win! The auction will end on Dec 31st at 9:00 PM EST (that’s 02:00 AM GMT on Jan. 1).
All proceeds will go to the conservancy’s efforts to protect the animals living within the Galapagos Islands. Go to the Galapagos Conservancy to put in your bid.
The three new sea sponge species were found in the Galapagos Archipelago by Prof Emeritus Cleve Hickman of Washington and Lee University. The expedition was funded by the Galapagos Conservancy.
Sea sponges are the oldest known form of animal life — they are believed to have existed for over 600 million years. The three newly discovered species are:
This sponge was discovered in a site Charles Darwin visited in 1835. He discovered many new species but missed this one!
This exciting sponge was discovered near the entrance to an underwater cave at approximately 60 ft depth.
Charles Darwin visited Floreana Island in 1835 where this sea sponge lives. This is where he discovered lots of new fish species.
This one could be nicknamed the “Watermelon Sponge” due to its bright pink color.
It is restricted to the northwestern-most part of the Galapagos and lives right on the equator!
By Rohan Walker Pandhi, Oceanwire Youth Correspondent
Oceanwire 