AnAge entry for Scolymastra joubini

Classification (HAGRID: 04662)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Porifera
        Class: Hexactinellida
            Order: Lyssacinosida
                Family: Rossellidae
                    Genus: Scolymastra
Species
Scolymastra joubini
Common name
Hexactinellid sponge

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
15,000 years (wild)
Source
ref. 688
Sample size
Medium
Data quality
Questionable
Observations

Animals of this and similar species of Antarctic sponges grow extremely slowly in the low temperatures. Estimates based on growth rates suggest a very long lifespan in this and similar animals. One two meter high specimen in the Ross Sea was estimated to be 23,000 years old, though because of sea level fluctuations in the Ross Sea it is unlikely that such an animal could have lived for more than 15,000 years [0688]. Even if 15,000 years is an overestimate, which may well be the case, this specimen appears to be the longest-lived animal on earth.

Life history traits (averages)

No information is available on life history. Please contact us if you wish to suggest or contribute data.

Metabolism

No information on metabolism is available.

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account (if available)
Encyclopaedia of Life
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NCBI Taxonomy
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Internet
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