1. Phylum Porifera
The Sponges

2. Typical sponges and their structure
Figure 12.04

3. I.Characteristics of Sponges
Multicellular – The body of sponges is a loose aggregation of cells
Body containing pores, canals and chambers
Mostly marine; all aquatic
Symmetry is either radial or they have NO symmetry
Skeleton of proteins (collagen, and in some cases- spongin) with spicules.
NO true organs or tissues; but with some incipient development in homoscleromorphs.
Adults are sessile and attached to substratum

4. II. Form and Function Sponge Pores A. Incurrent pores are called Ostia
B. Excurrent pores are called Oscula.

5. C. Specialized collar cells known as choanocytes have flagellae that create water flow and aid in the digestion of smaller particles.

6. Choanocytes in the Mesohyl
These choanocytes are located throughout The mesohyl - the matrix in which all sponge cells are embedded.

7. D. Flat epidermal cells known as pinacocytes aid in surrounding and protecting the body of the sponge. The layer they form around the outside of the sponge-the pinacoderm- is the closest thing to true tissue that sponges have.

8. E. Special amebocytic cells, called archaeocytes, carry out a variety of functions – especially digestion (basal form), collagen formation, (collencytes and lophocytes), Spongin formation (spongocytes) and spicule formation (sclerocytes).

9. III.Types of Spicules
A. Calcareous spicules are made of CaCO3. They are formed from the mineral elements
in the saltwater around them by special archaeocytes known as sclerocytes.

10. B. Siliceous spicules are made of SiO2
B. Siliceous spicules are made of SiO2. They are formed from different elements in the water by other archaeocytes, also known as sclerocytes. Six sided spicules form glass sponges!

11. IV.Types of Proteins
Spongin is a type of Collagen protein found in only SOME sponges – but not all!

12. The other form of protein, collagen, is found in ALL sponges, as well as all other animals.

13. V. Sponge Body Plans
The simplest body plan is the Asconoid, where the choanocytes are located in the spongocoel, or hollow, internal, water filled gastrovascular cavity.

14. A typical Asconoid Sponge

15. Sponge Body Plans (2) Killing cells
The second most complicated sponge body plan is the Syconoid sponge. Its choanocytes are located in Radial Canals. Entrances into the canals are called prosopyles and exits from the canals are apopyles.
Sponge Body Plans (2)
Killing cells

16. A Typical Syconoid Sponge

17. Sponge Body Plans (3) Killer Cells
The largest and most complicated sponges by far are the leuconoid sponges. They have their choanocytes in flagellated chambers, which increase water flow and feeding efficiency. They also contain prosopyles and apopyles.

18. A Typical Yellow Tube Sponge (Demosponge)

19. A Diver With Barrel Sponge
(Demosponge)

20. VI.Classification
A. Class Calcispongiae – (Name change!) Heavily calcareous sponges containing straight calcareous spicules and collagen.
B. Class Hexactinellida - radially symmetrical deep water sponges with six-rayed siliceous spicules. These are often beautiful and range from a few centimeters to more than 1.3 meters in length , and contain collagen.
C. Class Demospongia - By far the largest group, containing 95% of all living sponges in the world. Spicules are siliceous, but not six rayed. They may or may not contain spongin, but like all sponges , they do have collagen.

21. Classification (cont.)
D. There is a fourth class of sponges, called the Homoscleromorpha that used to be classified as Demosponges. These are all found in darker crevices in the ocean and are seldom found in the open, and are often fairly colorful. They have the incipient development that may be the precursor to true issues in later organisms.

22. Calcareous Sponge (Class Calcispongae)

23. Hexactinellid Glass Sponges
Two examples of the remains of Euplectella

24. A Common Demosponge

25. VII. Sponge Reproduction
A. Asexual Reproduction:
Carried out by budding (fragmentation) OR
by gemmules – internal buds created to allow
them to withstand adverse weather conditions;
usually over the winter. Gemmules usually found in fresh water but also seen rarely in marine habitats.
B. Sexual Reproduction:
Carried out by normal sperm and egg process; sperm
are usually carried out of the osculum of one sponge
and into the ostia of another. All sponges are
hermaphrodites – containing both male and female
sex organs.

26. Test– Next Class Meeting! Homework due the night before at midnight!