Martian Spheres are Sponge Gemmules!

The outcrop at the Opportunity site is covered by a decomposing
or partially fossilized sponge and its gemmules, possibly of the species
spongilla. The images make this clear imo. But I'm a mathematician
not a biologist and I need some professional feedback. Please
take a look, thanks in advance.


Sphere close up of Opportunity outcrop
1) http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2953M2M1.HTML

Gemmule photo
2) http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plfeb96.htm#gemmules

"During the spring gemmule "hatch", the peripheral thesocytes
differentiate into a pinacoderm that balloons out, like a bubblegum
bubble, through the micropyle. This micropyle bubble makes
contact and attaches to the substratum"
http://64.78.63.75/samples/04BIORupp...oology7ch5.pdf

Sphere with bubble
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2933M2M1.HTML



Raw thread image
3) http://www.earthfiles.com/news/news....tegory=Science
4) http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2953M2M1.HTML

Imprints of skeletal spicules, very small thread sticking out and casting a shadow
upper left corner beneath the two large brown patches.
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2933M2M1.HTML

Sponge wall rover image, left of center
5) http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2932M1M1.HTML

Diagram of sponge wall, bottom of page
6) http://paleo.cortland.edu/tutorial/P...a/porifera.htm



All raw Rover images can be found here
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...portunity.html


The correlation between the Rover images and a sponge
gemmule are many.

1) Both show a surface that is grainy, or covered with spicules
2) Both show the aperture and slice
3) Image 3 shows a skeletal spicule as in the left
of image 2 just above the word gemmule
4) A gemmule would explain the shiny spheres
5) A gemmule would explain why only some of
the Rover spheres show an aperture.
6) A gemmule would explain the occassional sphere 'twins' or bubble.
7) The Opportunity site was chosen for a possible
previous marine environment, which sponges
occupy.
8) A sponge release of gemmules would explain the uniform
and random distribution of the spheres, since no impact
boulders or nearby volcanoes are seen near the site.
9) Sponges were perhaps the very first animal life
on earth, we should expect a similar first life on Mars.
10 Sponges, spongilla, are known to have a symbiotic
relationship with sulfur reducing bacteria, and use it for
a primary food source. Such bacteria is associated with
hematite, thrives off elemental sulfur, low oxygen and salty
environments.




Overhead views of Meridiani
http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/2004/01/24/
The second image shows how the density of spheres
settled in the channels. This image shows a recent
reef system I believe.


Sponge covered rock?
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2555R1M1.HTML



Dark dunes
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/gall.../PIA01695.html
http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/...se/7707rel.gif
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/gall.../PIA02398.html

It appears that ancient furrows, following precisely where water would stand, are
covered in a blanket of dark material similar to the Opportunity site.
The clearly defined, if not startling, outline of the dark material shows that
fallout from impacts or eruptions are not a possibility. This dark canyons
may be additional blooms of recent marine life.




"Each gemmule is covered with a protective outer layer and a
foraminal aperture. In some species the gemmules are also covered with spicules.
Gemmules are commonly produced during the fall, and like the overwintering turions of
duckweeds, are able to survive severe winter conditions. The gemmules can withstand
repeated freezings and thawings and may be viable for three years are more.
Upon germination, a creamy mass of amoebocytes slowly flows out of the
foraminal aperture."
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plfeb96.htm#gemmules



"One exciting place (that is accessible for some coastal biology classes) to observe
living sponges is in intertidal sea caves found along rocky ocean shores. Biology
students who investigate these geological features are likely to find 'living
paintings' on the cave walls, formed by sponges or groups of sponges. In high
wave-shock areas, these sponges are usually only a centimeter or two in thickness.

The formation of gemmules is another form of asexual reproduction. This strategy is
common for freshwater sponges, but rare in marine species. The gemmule is a
densely-matted, hardened ball containing archeocytes protected by collagen and special
spicules. In freshwater sponges, these balls survive through the winter and then form
a new clone in the spring.
http://ebiomedia.com/prod/BOsponges.html



"Frozen water makes up as much as 10 percent of the top meter (three feet)
of surface material in some regions close to the equator."
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/odys...20031208a.html




Jonathan Maatsch
j0nathan @comcast.net


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