[2][5] A. queenslandica was first discovered in 1998 on Heron Island Reef by Sally Leys when looking for sponges with larvae to study polarity,[6] and was formally described by John Hooper and Rob van Soest in 2006.

[1] Like most sponges it has a biphasic life cycle, passing through a planktonic phase whilst a larva, but later becoming a benthic dweller.

[6] It is hermaphroditic, and reproduces via spermcast spawning,[4] meaning it releases sperm into water but retains eggs, which are fertilised internally.

[7] The embryos develop in brood chambers until they reach a certain size, then disperse as parenchymella larvae.

Subsequent research has also sequenced the genome of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri.