Question

Euplectella becomes a precious ornamental gift, if it contains

• A. A pearl
• B. A gem
• C. Remains of shrimp pair
• D. Coral

Answer 1

The correct option is C Remains of shrimp pair

Skeleton of some siliceous sponges like Euplectella is famous for beauty and is in great demand for marriage ceremonies in Japan. Euplectella, also known as Venus flower basket, is a glass sponge belonging to class Hexactinellida. A young shrimp pair enters the sponge and they grow, they are not able to escape the sponge. The shrimps' breed and the offspring escape finding a new sponge for them. The shrimps clean the sponge from inside and in return, get food and shelter. The shrimps live inside the sponge until they die.

Hence, the symbiotic association of shrimps with sponge Euplectella show an example of union till death and the dried and dead sponge is given as a wedding gift in Japan to symbolize the love of 'till death do us part'.

So, the correct answer is 'Remnants of shrimp pair'.