Adaptive specialization of a unique sponge body from the Cambrian Qingjiang biota

Sponge fossils from the Cambrian black shales have attracted attention from both palaeontologists and geochemists for many years in terms of their high diversity, beautiful preservation and perplexing adaptation to inhospitable living environments. However, the body shape of these sponges, which contributes to deciphering adaptive evolution, has not been scrutinized. New complete specimens of the hexactinellid sponge Sanshapentella tentoriformis sp. nov. from the Qingjiang biota (black shale of the Cambrian Stage 3 Shuijingtuo Formation, ca 518 Ma) allow recognition of a unique dendriform body characterized by a columnar trunk with multiple conical high peaks and distinctive quadripod-shaped dermal spicules that frame each high peak. The body shape of this new sponge along with other early Cambrian hexactinellids, is classified into three morpho-groups that reflect different levels of adaptivity to the environment. The cylindrical and ovoid bodies generally adapted to a large spectrum of environments; however, the dendriform body of S. tentoriformis was restricted to the relatively deep-water, oxygen-deficient environment. From a hindsight view, the unique body shape represents a consequence of adaptation that helps maintain an effective use of oxygen and a low energy cost in hypoxic conditions.