Phylum Porifera The Sponges

Characteristics No true tissues or organs No symmetry No nerves or muscles Sessile Reproduce sexually and asexually Skeletons composed of CaCO3 or SiO2 spicules or spongin Filter feeders 2 2

Porifera Anatomy No true tissues Consists of organized cells supported by a skeleton of: spongin fibers calcareous spicules silica spicules a combination of these, or perhaps no skeletal structure at all 3 3

Porifera Anatomy 4 4

Collar Cells Choanocytes: (collar cells) act as a pump to bring water into the sponge 5

Sponge Support Collagen is found between the inner canals and chambers Mesohyl Ameboid cells located in the mesohyl, have different roles Archeocytes Sclerocytes 6 6

Spicules Collagen is stiffened by adding microscopic mineral accretions or additional protein fibers (spongin) or both. Spicules: skeleton structures, made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or silicon dioxide (SiO2). 7 Phylum Porifrea 7

Porifera Classification Phylum Porifera Class Calcarea Class Demospongiae Class Hexactinellida Sclerospongiae is no longer considered a class Taxonomic Detail All other classes Desmospongia 8 8

Class Calcarea CaCO3 spicules Mostly small in size (<15 cm.), and form irregular masses Contains all asconoid forms Most syconoids Never contain spongin, restricted to shallow water, and strictly marine 9 9

Class Desmospongia Most marine sponges (90%) All freshwater sponges Leuconoid Spongin and SiO2 spicules 10 10

Class Hexactinellidae Usually found in deep water on soft substrates in the tropics 200-1,000m. Glass-like lattice work SiO2 spicules Spicules are six pointed and have a lattice-like structure Cup, vase or urn shape 11 11

Hawaiian Sponges Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Gelliodes fibrosa

Hawaiian Sponges Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Haliclona caerulea

Hawaiian Sponges Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Suberites zeteki

Hawaiian Sponges Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Mycale parishii

Hawaiian Sponges Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Mycale armata The red one, it’s invasive Phylum Porifera Class Desmospongiae Mycale armata

Decorator Crab

Hawaiian Sponges?