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Home : Science : Biology : Flora and Fauna : Animalia : Porifera
Porifera
The Phylum Porifera includes the animals commonly known as sponges. This is a diverse group, with about 5000 known species. Most are marine, but around 150 species live in fresh water.
Considered the simplest of the animals, the cells of sponges are organized into tissues, but the tissues are not organized into organs. Their bodies are a sort of loose aggregation of different kinds of cells. Sponges are characterized by a unique feeding system involving a system of pores and canals through which water passes.
The four Classes of sponges are Calcarea (Calcispongiae),
Hexactinellida (Hyalospongiae), Demospongiae, and
Sclerospongiae (considered by many to be a subclass of Demospongiae).
Considered the simplest of the animals, the cells of sponges are organized into tissues, but the tissues are not organized into organs. Their bodies are a sort of loose aggregation of different kinds of cells. Sponges are characterized by a unique feeding system involving a system of pores and canals through which water passes.
The four Classes of sponges are Calcarea (Calcispongiae),
Hexactinellida (Hyalospongiae), Demospongiae, and
Sclerospongiae (considered by many to be a subclass of Demospongiae).
Sites in Porifera
Phylum Porifera (Sponges)
Description of the sponges and their taxonomy, from the Animal Diversity Web.
Hermit Crab Sponges
An article by Floyd Sandford about the sponges that are carried around by hermit crabs.
Introduction to Porifera
A good start on the biology of sponges, including phylogeny, life history, and ecology.
Khoyatan Sponge Page - Sponges of The Northeast Pacific
Photographs of four Classes of sponges in the Khoyatan Marine Laboratory.
Porifera Biology on the WWW
A central clearinghouse for sponge researchers, including a porifera listserver bulletin board and who's who in sponge research.
The Sponges of British Columbia
Descriptions of sponges by Curt Smecher.
Underwater Field Guide to Sponges of Ross Island & McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Beautiful annotated photographs of sponges (Porifera) of Antarctica. |
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