Chemical halo protects encrusting sea sponge

University of Delaware post-doctoral researcher Eva Ternon and colleagues at several international universities report new evidence that the Mediterranean encrusting sponge Crambe crambe (C. crambe) emits chemical cues from its tissues to generate a chemical shield, most likely for defense and communication purposes. The chemicals are stored in tiny sphere-shaped cells and are continuously released into the water column where they surround the sponge, creating a defensive zone that protects the sponge from predators. This strategy may serve the sponge well as climate change stresses the marine environment.