Sponges

Phylum: Porifera

Sponge Characteristics

• Simplest animal• Live in all oceans but prefer shallow tropical

waters.• Sessile• Asymmetrical body plan• Filter feeders – can filter several thousand

liters a day.

Sponge Anatomy

• Osculum – water out• Pores – water in• Collar cells (chanocytes) – filter food particles

2 Main types of “Skeletal” Tissue

• 1. Spicule – a spike shaped structure made of calcium carbonate

• 2. Spongin – a soft protein, tough elastic fibers.

Sponge Reproduction

Types of Sponges

1. Encrusting – Flat – found in turbulent waters2. Tubular – Tall – found in calm waters3. Boring – make holes in whatever they are attached to4. Pecten – found on living shellfish