1. Phylum Porifera
The Sponges
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Phylum Porifera

2. Phylum Porifera Overview
 Most
–

There is some debate if sponges are complex
colonial protozans and not metazoans.
Sponges
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–
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primitive of the multicellular animals
Over 7,000 species, approximately 40 species that occur in
local waters
2% of all sponges are freshwater, none are terrestrial
Phylum Porifera

3. Phylum Porifera Overview
 Sponges
occur in shallow water habitats and
vary widely in size (up to 1m. high) and shape
– Unlike most metazoans they lack:
 All
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sponges are sessile filter feeders
Phylum Porifera

4. Sponge Diversity
Erect Rope
Sponge
Black-ball sponge
Yellow Tube
Sponge
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Phylum Porifera

5. Porifera Anatomy
 Spongocoel
 Ostia
 Oscules
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Phylum Porifera

6. Collar Cells
 Choanocytes:
Choanocytes
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(collar cells) act
as a pump to bring water into
the sponge
Phylum Porifera

7. Sponge Support
 Collagen
is found
between the inner canals
and chambers
–
Mesohyl
 Ameboid
cells located in
the mesohyl, have
different roles
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–
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Archeocytes
Sclerocytes
Phylum Porifera

8. Sponge Support
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Phylum Porifera

9. Spicules
 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

10. Sponge Types

11. Porifera Reproduction
 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

12. Porifera Larvae
 Neighboring
sponges
are fertilized by
sperm entering
through the ostia
–
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Ciliated mouth less
larvae
(parenchymella) is
released.
Parenchymella
Phylum Porifera

14. Porifera Classification
 Phylum
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–
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Porifera
Class Calcarea
Class Demospongiae
Class Hexactinellida
Sclerospongiae is no
longer considered a
class
Phylum Porifera

15. Class Calcarea
 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
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Phylum Porifera

16. Class Demospongiae (Most sponges)


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

17. 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