Phylum Porifera

Characteristics of Phylum Porifera

1.     Multicellular; body an aggregation of several types of cells differentiated for various functions, some of which are organized into incipient tissues of a low level of integration

2.     Body with pores (ostia), canals, and chambers that form a unique system of water currents on which sponges depend for food and oxygen

3.     Mostly marine; all aquatic

4.     Radial symmetry or none

5.     Outer surface of flat pinacocytes; most interior surfaces lined with flagellated collar cells (choanocytes) that create water currents; a gelatinous protein matrix called mesohyl contains amebocytes of various types and skeletal elements

6.     Skeletal structure of fibrillar collagen (a protein) and calcareous or siliceous crystalline spicules, often combined with variously modified collagen (spongin)

7.     No organs or true tissues; digestion intracellular; excretion and respiration by diffusion

8.     Reactions to stimuli apparently local and independent in cellular sponges, but electrical signals in syncytial glass sponges; nervous system probably absent

9.     All adults sessile and attached to substratum

1.     Asexual reproduction by buds or gemmules and sexual reproduction by eggs and sperm; free-swimming flagellated larvae in most

Figure 1. Three types of sponge structure

Figure 2. The structure of sponge

Video 1. The amazing of sponge

Video 2. The feeding of sponge

Classification of Phylum Porifera

1.     Class Calcarea (cal-ca' re-a) (L. calcis, lime) (Calcispongiae). Have spicules of calcium carbonate that often form a fringe around the osculum (main water outlet); spicules needleshaped or three or four rayed; all three types of canal systems (asconoid, syconoid, leuconoid) represented; all marine. Examples: Sycon, Leucosolenia, Clathrina.

Figure 3.  Sycon gelatinosum

Figure 4. Leucosolenia variabilis

Figure 5. Clathrina clathrus

2.     Class Hexactinellida (hex-ak-tin-el' i-da) (Gr. hex, six, " aktis, ray, " L. -ellus, dim. suffi x) (Hyalospongiae). Have six-rayed, siliceous spicules extending at right angles from a central point; spicules often united to form network; body often cylindrical or funnel-shaped; flagellated chambers in simple syconoid or leuconoid arrangement; habitat mostly deep water; all marine. Examples: Venus’ flower basket (Euplectella), Hyalonema.

Figure 6. Euplectella aspergillum

Figure 7. Hyalonema sp.

3.     Class Demospongiae (de-mo-spun' je-e) (Gr. demos, people, " spongos, sponge). Have siliceous spicules that are not six rayed, or spongin, or both; leuconoid-type canal systems; one family found in freshwater; all others marine. Examples: Thenea, Cliona, Spongilla, Myenia, Poterion, Callyspongia, and all bath sponges.

Figure 8. Cliona orientalis

Figure 9. Spongilla lacustris

Figure 10. Callyspongia plicifera

Figure 11. Hippospongia lachn

Figure 12. Bath sponges

Reference of data

Integrated Principles of Zoology, 14/e
Cleveland P. Hickman, Jr., Washington and Lee University
Larry S. Roberts, Texas Tech and Florida International University
Susan L. Keen, University of California,
 Davis Allan Larson, Washington University
Helen I'Anson, Washington and Lee University
David J. Eisenhour, Morehead State University

Reference of picture

1. https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/749/flashcards/842749/jpg/porifera-sponges1319045197404.jpg

2. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaKdI2CsImhpfUwhGbJTdbJUqQvEvgnvJvi39v8Vlxd-J69avArwXIRGD8ZDnE1BEY7i7moCwExH-ZNyt2eMI9Wzu7Fw8VTaEjijeB0a-ndCyXC5dE2zXdQfMZNd8_fuF5jrlbhL4KKlC/s1600/picture21.jpg

3. Campbell Biology 10/E Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky & Jackson

4. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpJ2pEs1_faDYeyMIs1r497fHXTNUJ_zsUDlR3re_DClH7UeS3KEx1lSOzlVbzdAR8Cf0yA-6yUWi1nNZVPSSmeEV9ehMMHG3b0SFeAjBf51Cn9Y0k02gTTaSppDsfswb2pBnXAysMIsb/s1600/Sycon-gelatinosum.jpg

5. http://www.cibsub.cat/rcs_gene/Leucosolenia_variabilis02.jpg

6. http://www.mer-littoral.org/02/photos-600x400/clathrina-clathrus-b19-17-600x400.jpg

7. http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/700s/expl7520.jpg

8. https://ecomar2010.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/1-small.jpg

9. http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/presse_joerdens/cliona_orientalis_befallt_lebende_koralle.jpg

10. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Spongilla_lacustris.jpg

10. http://bio1151b.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch33/33_Purple_Vase_Sponge_Callyspongia_plicifera.jpg

11. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/94/251334244_6f19485060_z.jpg?zz=1

12. http://www.travelmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rhodes401.jpg