Ecology of Sponge

Sponges have an irregular shape and many of them are large making them the ideal
habitats for marine animals. They have a mutual relationship with bacteria, algae, and plant like
protist. These organisms live in their tissues. Since the organisms are photosynthetic they
provide food and oxygen for the sponge, in return the sponge gives the organisms a protected
area. Sponges usually live on the seafloor, they get light for photosynthesis through the spicules
that focus and direct incoming sunlight to cells under the surface of the sponge. This is
important to the survival of sponges in a wide variety of habitats.

Cnidaria Vs. Porifera

The Cnidaria phylum has specialized cells and tissues unlike the phylum Porifera.
Cnidaria has the gastrovascular cavity, nerve net, and ocelli. The sponges feed themselves by
filter feeding, while the jellyfish paralyse and ingest their food. Diffusion is used in respiration,
circulation, and excretion for both species. The porifera have no nervous system, but the
phylum Cnidaria have nerve nets. The sponges bud asexually and the jellyfish are asexual and
sexual.
Annelida Vs. Cnidaria & Porifera
Earthworms are part of the annelida genus, are more advanced than sponges and
jellyfish because they have a complex body structure. The cells and tissues of earthworms are
more complex since they formed a segmented body type. They have a full digestive system,
nervous system, circulatory system, and excretory system.
Mollusca Vs. Porifera, Cnidaria and Annelida
The Porifera, Cnidaria and Annelids have a different body plan then they Mollusca,
Mollusca have four part body plan, but the others have a symmetrical body plan. All the phylums
are filter feeders, but Mollusca are herbivore, carnivore, detritivores, or parasites. Mollusca use
gills like the Annelida, but Porifera and Cnidaria do not have them.Through the cells release and
the Nephites the Mollusca can excrete waste.
Arthropoda Vs. Mollusca, Porifera, Cnidaria, and Annelida

The Arthropods body plan is alike to the Annelida because it has a segmented body, but
is different than all the others. The arthropod is a filter feeder like all the other phylums, but are
blood suckers unlike all the other ones. The arthropods breath through tracheal tubes, this is
more complex than the others, they have lungs. Like the Porifera and Cnidaria the Arthropods
excrete through diffusion. They have an open circulatory system unlike all the other phylums
except the Mollusca.