Sea God's Cup!

Hello! Today I'll be talking about an interesting find that happened right here in the waters of Singapore! Drum roll~~ Introducing the Neptune's Cup Sponge! This sponge was thought to be extinct since 1908 where the 2 specimens of the sponge was collected in West Java. Subsequently, the sponge has been identified after being dredged up in 1990 giving people hope that a wild population might still exist somewhere. it is not until 2011 that a live specimen of the sponge was found in Singapore's waters.

In the past, it is said that these sponges were extremely common is the waters round Singapore, so much so that they were a commonly used for a variety of purposes, such as bathtubs for children. Yes, they do grow pretty big!

A photo showing child bathing in a dried Neptune's Cup Sponge
(Lim, Tun & Goh, 2012)

The 2 specimens were found around the waters of Sister island, one of Singapore's few protected areas for wildlife. The rediscovery of the species, with 2 specimens in relatively close proximity, gives researches hope that there is a healthy wild populations of the sponges that they have not found.Little is known about the sponge, with scientist still debating if it does indeed belong in the genus Cliona. As such, live specimens, of which the only known 2 are the ones mention above, are extremely valuable to researchers wishing to study the sponge and its various aspects.

The rediscovery of the sponge, although a big news, was not highlighted upon much upon its initial discovery, perhaps it is best to keep it that way. This is as Singapore still has poaching activities present in its water. It would be a logical line of thought, that keeping the location of the sponges vague and not highlighting its presence to possible poaches, is part of a plan to protect the species. After all, Neptune's Cup Sponge is known to be sought after by collectors because of its unique shape and it is said to be the most well known sponge species in the world. Though there is speculation of a wild population, that may not necessarily be true. It is possible, that may have just found the last remaining survivors of the entire species. As such, it is important that we keep them protected. Cheers!

Neptune's Cup Sponge at Sister Island

References

Lim, S., Tun, K., & Goh, E. (2012). Rediscovery of the  Neptune's Cup Sponge in Singapore: Cliona OR Poterion?, 49-56. Retrieved from: http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/05_Lim_Pg%2049-56.pdf
Last accessed: 24 September 2015

Platt, J. (2015). Amazing Neptune's Cup Sponge Rediscovered in Singapore. Blogs.scientificamerican.com. Retrieved from: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/amazing-neptunes-cup-sponge-rediscovered-singapore/
Last accessed: 24 September 2015

Sister Island Marine Park,. (2015). [The Neptune's Cup sponge (Cliona patera), long thought to be extinct here, was rediscovered off St John’s Island in 2011.] Retrieved from: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/5-things-about-the-sisters-islands-singapores-first-marine-park
Last accessed: 24 September 2015