Name: Rapunzel G.

Bajas

BS BIO

Morphology of the poriferans

General Characteristics of Porifera

Poriferans are commonly called sponges.

These are multicellular organisms which are sessile/sedentary in nature.

Most of them are marine while a few are fresh water forms.

Body is cylindrical, asymmetrical or has radial symmetry.

Body wall is diploblastic which consists of an outer layer called pinacoderm and an inner layer called
choanoderm.

The middle layer is called mesenchyme which has various kinds of wandering amoebocytes.

Body wall contains numerous pores called ostia through which water enters in the body through a canal
system into the central body cavity, called spongocoel.

The canal syytem mainky comprise of incurrent and excurrent canals which are lined with pinacocytes;
and radial canals which are lined with choanocytes (flagellated cells).

Body also contains one or more openings called oscula (-um/singular) through which water passes out
from the body.

Sponges feed on minute organisms and small organic particles which enter the body through water
current and are ingested by the choanocytes.

Respiration takes place by diffusion of oxygen from water the flowing into the body.

Sponges have an exoskeleton which is made up of either spongin fibers or calcareous/siliceous spicules
or a combination of both.

Excretory product, mainly ammonia, is released from the body through outgoing water current.

Reproduction may be asexual or sexual.

Asexual reproduction takes place by external or internal budding (formation of gemmules) or by

disintegration of body into reduction bodies.

Sexual reproduction involves internal fertilization. Male gametes enter the sponge body through water
current and fertilize with ovum with the help of choanocytes.

The larval stage of calcaroeus sponges is amphibalstula while that of demospongiae is rhagon larva.

Classification of Porifera

Porifera is divided into three classes based on the skeleton they possess.
1. Calcarea Haeckel Calcispongiae

Skeleton consists mainly of calcareous spicules

Examples: Sycon, Leucosolenia

2. Hexactinellida (Hyalospongiae)

Skeleton consists mainly of siliceous spicules

Examples: Euplectella, Hyalonema

3. Demospongiae

Skeleton consists mainly of spongin fibres which may be in combination with spicules

Example: Spongilla

Spicules of Sponges

Spicules are formed by scleroblast cells present in the mesenchyme.

They consists of an axis of organic material around which calcium carbonate or silica is deposited. Thus
they are calcareous or siliceous in nature.

They are of various shapes. Based on their main axis and number of rays, they can be classified into
following types-

Monaxons - single axis growing in one or more directions.

Triaxons - three axes crossing each other and have six rays.

Tetraxons - four rays.

Polyaxons - many axes and several rays radiating from a single point.

Spheres - spherical in shape with concentric growth.

Desmas - formed by deposition of successive layers of silica on an ordinary spicule.

Spicules form the skeleton of body. They thus support and protect the body.

Smaller flesh spicules found throughout the mesenchyme are called Microscleres. They are of two types
- spires (spiral in shape) and asters (star-shaped).

Large-sized spicules are called Macroscleres.

Gemmules of Sponges

Gemmules are asexual reproductive bodies of most of the freshwater and a few marine sponges.

These are internal buds and are response to the hostile environment.

These are small, hard, ball-like structure consisting of an outer capsule and an inner mass of
archaeocytes.

Capsule is made of two chitinous layers. Outer chitinous layer contains amphidisc spicules to strengthen
the capsule.

Arcaheocytes are totipotent cells and are filled with reserve food material formed by trophocyte cells.

At one end of the gemmules an opening called micropyle is present.

These are resistant to desiccation (drying out), freezing, and anoxia (lack of oxygen) and can lie around
for long periods of time.

Under favourable conditions, the mass of archaeocytes come out in water through micropyle and
develops into a young sponge.

A Few Examples

1. Sycon

2. Hyalonema

3. Euplectella

4. Spongilla

Taxonomic details of sponges:

All sponges in this class are strictly marine, and, while they are distributed worldwide, most are found in
shallow tropical waters. Like all other sponges, they are sedentary filter feeders.

All three sponge body plans are represented within class Calcarea : asconoid, syconoid, and leuconoid.
Typically, calcareous sponges are small, measuring less than 10 cm (3.9 in) in height, and drab in colour.
However, a few brightly coloured species are also known.

Calcareous sponges vary from radially symmetrical vase-shaped body types to colonies made up of a
meshwork of thin tubes, or irregular massive forms. The skeleton has either a mesh or honeycomb
structure.
Calcarea

Diversity

There are about 400 described species of sponges in the Calcarea group. (Wörheide, 2002)

Geographic Range

Calcarea sponges are found throughout the oceans, but are mainly in temperate areas. (Wörheide,
2002)

Biogeographic Regions arctic ocean indian ocean atlantic ocean pacific ocean mediterranean sea

Habitat

Exclusively marine and mainly in temperate regions, Calcarea sponges are usually found in shallower,
sheltered waters less than 1000 m. In tropical regions they are associated with coral reefs. (Wörheide,
2002)

Habitat Regions temperate tropical saltwater or marine

Aquatic Biomes benthic reef coastal

Other Habitat Features intertidal or littoral

Physical Description

Calcarea is the only class with asconoid and syconoid construction. All others have leuconoid
construction. The calcium carbonate spicules are only megascleres, or large structural spicules. Other
groups of sponges have microscleres, which are smaller reinforcing spicules. Most Calcarea are 10 cm
less in height, and are dull in color, although some colorful species are known. (Barnes, 1987; Brusca and
Brusca, 2003; Wörheide, 2002)

Other Physical Features ectothermic heterothermic

Development

Reproduction occurs asexually by budding and sexually. Development of fertilized eggs takes place
within the sponge. The larval stage has outer flagellated cells, often with spicules. The young break out
of the parent's mesohyl, and become free swimming larvae, but not for more than two days.
Sponges have different amoeboid cells in the mesohyl. Acheocytes are large cells with large nuclei.
These cells are totipotent, meaning they can develop into any cell type. Sclerocytes, also in the mesohyl,
accumulate calcium to produce spicules. Three sclerocytes will fuse to form spicules in intercellular
spaces. (Barnes, 1987; Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

Development - Life Cycle indeterminate growth

Reproduction

Most all sponges can reproduce asexually, by regenerating tissues. Sponges also reproduce sexually.
Being hermaphroditic, sperm and eggs can be reproduced, sequentially or at the same time.
Choanocytes give rise to egg and sperm cells, and archaeocyte cells also give rise to egg cells. Sperm and
eggs are released in the water, and most species cross fertilize. Fertilized eggs will develop into free-
swimming larvae. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003; Wörheide, 2002)

Key Reproductive Features simultaneous hermaphrodite sequential hermaphrodite sexual asexual

fertilization external viviparous

There is no parental investment beyond release of gametes.

Behavior

Members of Porifera are sessile since they are attached to the substrate. However, some sponges may
move as amoeboid cells at the base move. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

Key Behaviors sessile

Communication and Perception

Sponges will react by closing ostia or oscula, either because of direct physical stimulation or when
suspended particles within the sponge are too large or highly concentrated. However, there are no
known nerve structures. However, some sponges may respond to electrical impulses. (Bamfield Marine
Sciences Centre, 2004)

Perception Channels chemical electric

Food Habits

Because of the simple cells that make up sponges, cell types and water currents used by the sponges to
obtain food have been extensively studied. Sponges in general use flagellated cells called choanocyte
cells to create a current. Choanocytes are located in the interior part of the sponge. In the asconoid
structure, the water is drawn in through the ostium (outer pores), goes through the spongocoel or
atrium, and out the osculum (the opening in the top of the sponge). Outer pores are 50 micrometers or
less, so larger particles and animals are not ingested.

As food or particles are moved through the sponges, amoemoid cells surround and engulf it (pinocytosis
and phagocytosis). Particles are caught in the collar part of the choanocyte cells. (Brusca and Brusca,
2003)

Primary Diet planktivore detritivore

Foraging Behavior filter-feeding

Predation

Sponges are preyed on by many animals. Spicules, and other compounds, including potential biotoxins,
probably discourage most predators. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

Ecosystem Roles

Sponges in general may make up a significant portion of the benthic biomass. For example, in Antarctica,
at depths of 100-200 m, 75 per cent of the benthic biomass are sponges. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

Ecosystem Impact creates habitat

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Sponges have been harvested for centuries by many civilizations. Compounds produced by sponges are
being explored for pharmaceuticals. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

Positive Impacts body parts are source of valuable material

Conservation Status

Sediments effect sponges although they are resistant to hydrocarbons (including detergents) and heavy
metals. Particular species have been overharvested. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003)

IUCN Red List [Link]

Not Evaluated

Other Comments
Although Calcarea is considered the primitive group, and are the only sponges with asconoid and
synconoid construction, the asconoid and synconoid forms are not necessarily considered primitive
conditions. (Brusca and Brusca, 2003; Wörheide, 2002)

Contributors

Renee Sherman Mulcrone (author).

Glossary

Arctic Ocean

the body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America which occurs mostly north of the Arctic
circle.

Atlantic Ocean

the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), and
the western hemisphere. It is the second largest ocean in the world after the Pacific Ocean.

World Map

Pacific Ocean

body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the
western hemisphere. This is the world's largest ocean, covering about 28% of the world's surface.

World Map

asexual

reproduction that is not sexual; that is, reproduction that does not include recombining the genotypes
of two parents

benthic

Referring to an animal that lives on or near the bottom of a body of water. Also an aquatic biome
consisting of the ocean bottom below the pelagic and coastal zones. Bottom habitats in the very deepest
oceans (below 9000 m) are sometimes referred to as the abyssal zone. see also oceanic vent.
chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

coastal

the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.

detritivore

an animal that mainly eats decomposed plants and/or animals

ectothermic

animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate
body temperature

electric

uses electric signals to communicate

external fertilization

fertilization takes place outside the female's body

fertilization

union of egg and spermatozoan

filter-feeding

a method of feeding where small food particles are filtered from the surrounding water by various
mechanisms. Used mainly by aquatic invertebrates, especially plankton, but also by baleen whales.

heterothermic

having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no
mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.
indeterminate growth

Animals with indeterminate growth continue to grow throughout their lives.

intertidal or littoral

the area of shoreline influenced mainly by the tides, between the highest and lowest reaches of the tide.
An aquatic habitat.

planktivore

an animal that mainly eats plankton

reef

structure produced by the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps (Class Anthozoa). Coral reefs are
found in warm, shallow oceans with low nutrient availability. They form the basis for rich communities
of other invertebrates, plants, fish, and protists. The polyps live only on the reef surface. Because they
depend on symbiotic photosynthetic algae, zooxanthellae, they cannot live where light does not
penetrate.

saltwater or marine

mainly lives in oceans, seas, or other bodies of salt water.

sessile

non-motile; permanently attached at the base.

Attached to substratum and moving little or not at all. Synapomorphy of the Anthozoa

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

temperate
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of
Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the
Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

viviparous

reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the
developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.

References

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, 2004. "Porifera" (On-line). Ocean Link. Accessed January 13, 2005 at
http://oceanlink.island.net/ask/porifera.html#anchor22429.

Barnes, R. 1987. Invertebrate Zoology. Orlando, Florida: Dryden Press.

Brusca, R., G. Brusca. 2003. Invertebrates. Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates, Inc..

Wörheide, G. 2002. "Calcarea Introduction" (On-line). Gert Wörheide's homepage about geobiology.
Accessed January 13, 2005 at http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~gwoerhe/calcarea_introduction.html.