Exercise 8

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera

The group of the sponges is the first of the multicellular phyla. Sponges are radially
symmetrical or more commonly asymmetrical metazoans consisting of loose aggregation of cells,
which are poorly arranged into tissues. The body of the sponge is externally performed by
numerous minute incurrent pores (ostia) for intake of water and by one or more large excurrent
pores (oscula). Currents may pass through a large body cavity (Spongocoel) or through numerous
simple to complex systems of canal. Water movement is accomplished by flagellar action of the
choanocyte layer which lines the spongocoel or certain canals called flagellated chambers. The
bodies of sponges are supported by either crystalline calcareous or siliceous spicules or sponging
fibers.

Class CALCISPONGIAE

All types of canal system are encountered in this group. Hey are distinctive in having spicules
composed of calcium carbonate.

Grantia I.s.

Grantia x.s.

Leucosolenia

Class HYALOSPONGIAE

Representative of this class are commonly known as glass sponges. The name is derived
from the fact that the spicules are always of the triaxon or six pointed type. Furthermore, some of
the spicules often are fused to form a skeleton that may be lattice-like and built of long siliceous
fiber, hence the name glass sponge.

Euplectella aspergillum
Class DEMOSPONGIAE

The class contains the greatest number of sponge species. The skeleton is variable which
may consist of siliceous or sponging fibers or a combination of both. All Demospongiae are
leuconcid.

Leiodermatium

Euspongia

Sponge spicules and skeleton

Guide Questions

1. Describe the sponges.

A sponge is a sedentary, filter-feeding metazoan which has a single layer of flagellated cells
that drive a unidirectional current of water through its body. Sponges are an ancient and highly
successful group of animals. They are very diverse and come in a large variety of colours, shapes
and structural complexities. They range in heights of 1-200cm and in diameters of 1-150cm.

They have partially differentiated tissues, and not true tissues. Sponges don’t have internal
organs. Their walls are lined with many small pores called ostia that allow water flow into the
sponge. The structure of a sponge is simple. One end is attached to a solid such as a rock while the
other end, called the osculum, is open to the environment.

2. Enumerate the characteristics common to all samples presented here.

The common characteristics of the given samples are the following:

 Most members are sessile.
 The body of the given species are designed for efficient aquatic filter feeding.
 They are pore-bearing.
 Choanocytes are used to move water to bring bring food and oxygen while removing
wastes.

3. What are the criteria by which the samples can be differentiated into classes?

The composition and shape of spicules are the basis of classification. Traditionally grouped
in three classes based on spicules and chemical composition
 Calcispongiae: calcium carbonate spicules with one, three, or four rays.
 Hexactinellida: glass sponges with six-rayed siliceous spicules.
 Demospongiae: siliceous spicules around an axial filament, spongin fibers, or both.
 Class Homoscleromorpha identified as sponges without a skeleton, or with siliceous
spicules without an axial filamenta.
 4. What features make the sponges different from the other organisms placed in the
animal kingdom?

Sponges are different in looks and behavior compared to other metazoans. From the other
organisms placed in the animal kingdom, the sponges are unique for their cell assemblages.
Structure of sponges consists of an extracellular matrix, with cells embedded within, and a skeleton
possessing needle-like spicules and protein, which supports the matrix. Also, they behave like no
other.

5. Trace the flow of water in each of the three types of canal systems.

References:

Ramel, G. (n.d.). The Phylum Porifera. Retrieved from

https://www.earthlife.net/inverts/porifera.html

(n.d.) All about Sponges. Retrieved from http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=3431

Source: McGraw-Hill Education (2013). Sponges and Placozoans. Integrated Principles of

Zoology, 17th edition.