Vitrumanthus flosculus, meaning “small flower” or “flowerette” in Latin, was discovered on underwater mountain ranges (seamounts), south of Japan’s coast.
V. flosculus is remarkable for its small size (~ 1.5 to 2.5mm high and 1.0 to 2.5mm diameter) and for its close relationship with the glass sponges that serve as its hosts. Like other members of the Parazoanthidae family, these tiny creatures have a symbiotic relationship with glass sponges where they exist as polyps on the sponges’ surface.
Full article at: MSN World News dec24