Phylum Porifera
The Sponges
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Phylum Porifera
Phylum Porifera Overview
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Most primitive of the multicellular animals
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Sponges
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There is some debate if sponges are complex
colonial protozans and not metazoans.
Over 7,000 species, approximately 40 species that occur in
local waters
2% of all sponges are freshwater, none are terrestrial
Phylum Porifera
Phylum Porifera Overview
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Sponges occur in shallow water habitats and
vary widely in size (up to 1m. high) and shape
– Unlike most metazoans they lack:
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All sponges are sessile filter feeders
Phylum Porifera
Sponge Diversity
Erect Rope
Sponge
Black-ball sponge
Yellow Tube
Sponge
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Phylum Porifera
Porifera Anatomy
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Spongocoel
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Ostia
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Oscules
Phylum Porifera
Collar Cells
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Choanocytes
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Choanocytes: (collar cells) act
as a pump to bring water into
the sponge
Phylum Porifera
Sponge Support
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Collagen is found
between the inner canals
and chambers
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Ameboid cells located in
the mesohyl, have
different roles
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Mesohyl
Archeocytes
Sclerocytes
Phylum Porifera
Sponge Support
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Phylum Porifera
Spicules
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Collagen is stiffened
by adding microscopic
mineral accretions or
additional protein
fibers (spongin) or
both.
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Spicules: skeleton
structures, made of
calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) or silicon
dioxide (SiO2).
Spicules
Phylum Porifera
Sponge Types
Porifera Reproduction
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Asexual budding
Regeneration: can regenerate from broken
pieces
Sexual
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Usually hermaphroditic with male and female cells
scattered throughout the connective tissue.
Phylum Porifera
Porifera Larvae
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Neighboring sponges
are fertilized by
sperm entering
through the ostia
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Ciliated mouth less
larvae
(parenchymella) is
released.
Parenchymella
Phylum Porifera
Porifera Classification
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Phylum Porifera
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Class Calcarea
Class Demospongiae
Class Hexactinellida
Sclerospongiae is no
longer considered a
class
Phylum Porifera
Class Calcarea
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Have spicules made of
calcium carbonate
Mostly small in size (<15
cm.), and form irregular
masses
Never contain spongin,
restricted to shallow water,
and strictly marine
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae (Most sponges)
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Have spicules made of silicon
dioxide (SiO2) or spongin or a
combination of both
Most sponges belong to this
class (90%)
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Nearly all are leuconoid body
type
Mostly found on the
continental shelf
Spongia spp. (Bath sponge)
Phylum Porifera
Class Hexactinellida (Glass
sponges)
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Spicules are made of silica
Usually found in deep water on soft substrates in the
tropics 200-1,000m.
Spicules are six pointed and have a lattice-like
structure
Cup, vase or urn shape
Euplectella (Deep sea Glass sponge)
Phylum Porifera