Re: How long does a sponge live?

Date: Mon Nov 15 12:56:08 1999
Posted By: Alexander M. Kerr, Grad student, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 942112164.Zo

Message:


In addition to sexual reproduction, sponges can reproduce by fragmenting.  
A storm may break apart a sponge and each piece can regrow into a 
completely formed sponge.  Because of this, sponges are theoretically 
immortal.  In practice of course, disease, predation and freak accidents 
take a toll so that even an immortal individual would not live forever, 
not even a sponge.

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