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Introduction to Sponges. Porifera. Porifera “Pore-bearing” Over 4,000 species Mostly marine. Classification. Kingdom Animalia Plant-like in appearance Lack some typical animal characteristics Distinct tissues Dead end phylum Nothing evolved from the Porifera. Classification.
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Porifera • Porifera • “Pore-bearing” • Over 4,000 species • Mostly marine
Classification • Kingdom Animalia • Plant-like in appearance • Lack some typical animal characteristics • Distinct tissues • Dead end phylum • Nothing evolved from the Porifera
Classification • Organized into three classes • Based on skeleton structure differences • Calcareous sponges • Glass sponges • Encrusting sponges
Calcareous Sponges • Classification • Class Calcarea • Size • Small, 4 inches or smaller • Location • Shallow waters
Calcareous Sponges • Structure • Skeletons made of spicules • “little spikes” • Made of calcium carbonate (lime)
Calcareous Sponges • Two types • Leucosolenia • Simple (asconoid) canal system
Scypha • Advanced (syconoid) canal system
Canal System Function • Simple canal system • Water enters internal cavity (spongoceol) through pore cells in the body wall • Pore cell openings – incurrent openings (ostia) • Cells of the spongoceol absorb nutrients and oxygen • Water exits through excurrent opening (osculum)
Advanced canal system • Folded body walls • Increases surface area • Greater absorption of nutrients and oxygen
Glass Sponges • Classification • Class Hexactinellida • Size • Larger, vase-shaped • Location • Deep, tropical waters
Structure • Skeleton made of crystalline silicon dioxide • Geometric pattern • Formed by six-pointed spicules • Possesses advanced canal system
Encrusting Sponges • Classification • Demospongiae (Demo – “people”) • Used as bath sponges • Size • Large • Location • Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea
Encrusting Sponges • Structure • Skeleton can be made of: • Elastic (spongin) fibers • Makes them “spongy” • Silicon dioxide • Combination of both
Possess a complex (leuconoid) canal system • Commercial use • Collected by divers • Allowed to die/decompose in water • Spongy skeleton remains and is cleaned to be sold