1. Introduction to Sponges

2. Porifera – “Pore-bearing” – Over 4,000 species – Mostly marine

3. Classification Kingdom Animalia – Plant-like in appearance – Lack some typical animal characteristics Distinct tissues Dead end phylum – Nothing evolved from the Porifera

4. Classification Organized into three classes – Based on skeleton structure differences Calcareous sponges Glass sponges Encrusting sponges

5. Calcareous Sponges Classification – Class Calcarea Size – Small, 4 inches or smaller Location – Shallow waters

6. Calcareous Sponges Structure – Skeletons made of spicules “little spikes” Made of calcium carbonate (lime)

7. Calcareous Sponges Two types – Leucosolenia Simple (asconoid) canal system

8. – Scypha Advanced (syconoid) canal system

9. Canal System Function Simple canal system – Water enters internal cavity (spongoceol) through pore cells in the body wall Pore cell openings – incurrent openings (ostia) Cells of the spongoceol absorb nutrients and oxygen – Water exits through excurrent opening (osculum)

11. Advanced canal system – Folded body walls Increases surface area – Greater absorption of nutrients and oxygen

13. Glass Sponges Classification – Class Hexactinellida Size – Larger, vase-shaped Location – Deep, tropical waters

14. Structure – Skeleton made of crystalline silicon dioxide Geometric pattern Formed by six-pointed spicules Possesses advanced canal system

15. Encrusting Sponges Classification – Demospongiae (Demo – “people”) Used as bath sponges Size – Large Location – Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea

16. Encrusting Sponges Structure – Skeleton can be made of: Elastic (spongin) fibers – Makes them “spongy” Silicon dioxide Combination of both

17. – Possess a complex (leuconoid) canal system Commercial use – Collected by divers Allowed to die/decompose in water – Spongy skeleton remains and is cleaned to be sold