Discodermia calyx

Discodermia calyx is a species of bowl-shaped sponge that is found in shallow waters in central and southern Japan. The species is distributed by the central Kuroshio current and is therefore localized along this current. Like many other sponges, D. calyx are very porous. They use the pores in their outer walls to draw in water which they then expel, retaining the nutrients dissolved in the water to nourish themselves. To keep water flowing in and out, the flagella that line their pores beat in either direction.

The toxin calyculin A, used in medical research, can be extracted from this species.