1. Phylum Porifera
The “Pore Bearers”

2. Phylum Porifera : The Sponges A few examples
Stovepipe Sponges
Red Volcano Sponge
Yellow Tube Sponge

3. Identifying Characteristics of the members of Phylum Porifera
Non-coelomates (therefore do not possess any true body systems although they do have highly specialized cells that perform many functions)
Mostly asymmetric (some exhibit radial symmetry)
Possess a GASTROVASCULAR CAVITY (GVC)
Filter Feeders : through pores and special cells that line the GVC
Posses a skeleton made up SPICULES composed of either calcium, silica or spongin
Hermaphroditic : can reproduce sexually (do not self fertilize) or asexually by regeneration or budding
Sessile (anchored to the ocean floor as an adult)
Found mainly in marine habitats

4. Basic Structure of a Sponge
The Gastrovascular Cavity
Has only one opening
Serves two primary functions
1. “Gastro”
digests and absorbs food and nutrients
2. “vascular”
serves as a primitive circulatory system as it moves nutrients around to other parts of the body

5. Basic Functions of the Internal Cavity
To filter water as it passes through the sponge for food and oxygen (see collar cell enlargement)
To extract particles of food from passing water and digest food either in collar cell food vacuoles or by roaming amoeboid cells.
To get rid of waste products through the osculum

6. Collar Cells at work bringing in water and retrieving oxygen and food for the sponge

7. Ecological Importance of Sponges
Sponges provide shelter and food for other ocean creatures
Sponges can release chemicals that help to break up old shells
Because sponges are filter feeders they are very sensitive to water pollution as it will quickly clog their pores and destroy the sponge. Therefore a lack of sponges in a certain area is a good indication that there is pollution in the area and more of the ocean life is potentially at risk
Sea Crab living inside a Fluorescent sponge

8. Economical Importance of Sponges
At one time there was a market for sponges to be used in the bathroom and the kitchen because of their ability to absorb water, however synthetic sponges have replaced this industry
Sea sponge Skeleton to be used in the bathroom for washing

9. Super Cool Sponge Facts
Each species of sponge somehow knows exactly which day of the year the other members of its species will release their gametes into the water. This is how sponges are able to cross fertilize.
The Loofah “Sponge” sold in many stores is not actually a sponge at all…. It’s the inside of a plant known as a gourd!
Purple Vase Sponge and a sea fan

10. Phylum Cnidaria Cnidos = “Stinging Needle”

11. 4 Classes of Phylum Cnidaria
HYDROZOA – Obelia, Hydra (above), Portuguese Man O War
SCHYPHOZOA - Jellyfish
ANTHOZOA – anemones (above), corals, sea fans
CUBOZOA – box jellies (sea wasps)

12. Identifying Characteristics of the members of Phylum Cnidaria
Non-coelomates & therefore do not possess any true body systems or organs. 3 germ layers include ectoderm (protection), endoderm (inner lining) and mesoglea
Exhibit radial symmetry
Possess tentacles used in transportation and for capturing food and stinging cells called nematocysts.
Possess a Gastrovascular Cavity (GVC)
Primitive Nervous System (Nerve net)
Hermaphroditic : can reproduce sexually (do not self fertilize) or asexually by regeneration or budding
Have a motile (medusa) and a sessile (polyp) stage in their lives
Found in marine habitats

13. Gastrovascular Cavity (GVC)
The inner cavity responsible for digestion, circulation, respiration and excretion.
Disadvantages of having a GVC include:
There is only one opening….. The mouth is the anus…..
Tentacle
Gastrovascular Cavity
Mouth and Anus
Calcified Shell (Coral)
Note: This diagram shows the GVC in the polyp body type.

14. 2 Body Types Present in Phylum Cnidaria
Polyp
Sessile (no movement as they are anchored to the ground))
Tentacles face up
asexual
Ex. Hydra, sea anemones, coral
Medusa
Motile
Tentacles face down
sexual
Ex. Jellyfish, sea wasps

16. The stinging cells: Nematocysts
Nematocysts are most commonly located at the end of tentacles
Are composed of special cells called cnidocytes that produce a toxin
When a trigger is stimulated it releases a barbed needle that penetrates the flesh and injects toxins.
Nematocysts are used to ward off predators or attack prey
A discharged nematocyst

17. Life cycle of a typical Jellyfish
#1-10 exhibit the formation of the polyp life form.
#11 shows the polyp undergoing asexual reproduction in the form of budding. The top of the polyp breaks off and goes on to form the medusa stage of the jellyfish’s life. #12-14 shows the formation of the adult medusa
The medusa will then go on to produce and release egg and sperm into the water. The eggs will be cross fertilized by the sperm of another medusa and eventually develop into a new polyp
This alternating between two life forms is termed ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS

18. Brooding Anemones
From a single anemone other polyps are forming which will eventually break off and settle on the ocean floor to form new anemones. This is why many of the same type of anemone are often observed in the same area as the new polyps are not capable of traveling far distances.

19. Ecological Importance of Cnidarians
Filter and clean the water
Form symbiotic relationships will other ocean life
Examples.
Clownfish and anemone (remember Finding Nemo?)
Coral will die as the temperature of the water increases. Death of coral often precedes death of entire ecosystems
The clownfish are immune to the stinging cells of the clownfish anemone. Therefore the anemone provides protection and shelter for the clownfish and in turn the clownfish clean the anemone.

20. Super Cool Killer Cnidarians
The Portuguese Man O’ War
Looks like a jellyfish but is actually a colony of specialized polyps and medusas
The sting from their tentacles causes excruciating pain and sometimes death
Named for its air bladder which looks like the sails of a Portuguese fighting ship
Super cool fact: Loggerhead turtles are actually immune to their toxins and feed on the Portuguese Man O’ War
Portuguese Man O’ War Physalia physalis

21. A common sign to observe near Australian Beaches

22. Box Jellyfish Chironex flecker
Possess the most deadly venom (toxins) in the animal kingdom which cause anaphylaxis shock and death
In Nov. – April they are abundant in Australian waters but it is not known where they go for the winter
Through ultrasonic tagging it has been found that they sleep on the ocean floor between 3pm and dawn to conserve energy and avoid predators
Possess 22 very simple light sensing eyes
Box Jellyfish Chironex flecker
This jellyfish has had an ultrasonic tag attached (very carefully!) to it in order to help learn more about the migration patterns of these cnidarians

23. Jelly FISH OUT OF WATER