The distinct and thread-thin ridges running vertically down the length of this rare New York sponge are met by horizontal ridges, creating several swelled areas called spicules.
Hydnoceras is an extinct primitive sponge that lived from the Upper Devonian to the Pennsylvanian period. They were suspension feeders that probably lived on one organism for their whole lives, filtering food particles from the water through pores. Because of their reliance on other animals, glass sponges were not confined to one aquatic environment.
Hydnoceras fossils are found in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The fossils are actually internal molds of the skeleton with the ridges as an impression of the skeleton.
Type; Glass Sponge
Species: Hydnoceras sp
Age: Late Devonian (382 - 372 million years old)
Locality: Southern Tier, New York
Size: 3.38 x 1.88 x .75 inches
Weight: 3.6 oz.