Aphrocallistes vastus genome. Aphrocallistes vastus genome

The cloud sponge Aphrocallistes vastus, F:E. Schulze (1986) is a commonly deep-sea reef-forming animal. The species is distributed in the Northern Pacific Ocean and is found along the costs of Japan, Siberia, and the west coast of North America (from Alaska southwards to California and Mexico). A. vastus has been used for studying the morphology and general biology of glass sponges since it can be accessed in some regions via regular scuba diving. It is known for forming slowly growing sponge reef, providing habitats for numerous invertebrates and fishes. A. vastus has been extensively studied to understand the generation of silica spicules and a multi-nuclear, syncytial tissue.