PORIFERANS

Poriferans (sponges)

■ From the Latin words “Porus” meaning pore or opening and “fer” meaning bearing
■ They have many holes or pores
■ Multicellular
■ Aquatic
■ Sessile
■ Asexual reproduction – external or internal budding (formation of gemmules)
■ Sexual reproduction – internal fertilization
■ Have exoskeleton
Classifications of Poriferans
Calcarea

■ Calcareous sponges
■ Skeleton consists mainly of calcareous spicules
■ Examples
1. Sycon/Scypha
- Grows only about 1-3 cm in length
- It is vase shaped
2. Leucosolenia
- very small in size (2.5cm long)
- They grow in a colony of slender individuals by a common root-like process
- Water enters the central cavity through numerous perforations.
Hexactinellida

■ Glass sponges
■ Skeleton consists mainly of siliceous spicules
■ Examples:
1. Euplectella
- Venu’s flower basket
- Size vaties from 15-30 cm in length ang 2-5 cm in diameter
- Skeleton of six-rayed siliceous spicules
Demospongiae

■ Common sponges
■ Skeleton consists mainly of spongin fibers which may be in combination with 
       spicules
■ Examples:
1. Spongilla 
- Canal system is rhagon type.
- Skeleton consists of siliceous spicules in form of network of smooth or spiny large and small
oxeas (curved monaxons) embedded in the spongin fibres.
Structure

■ Spicules - are spiky, spiny structures that serve a structural purpose in most sponges, as
well as defense against predation. 
■ Flagella - Plural flagellum, meaning whip in Latin, is a whip like organelle found on
certain kinds of cells. The main purpose of the flagella is movement, propelling the cell
like a tail fin.
■ Gemules - a tough-coated dormant cluster of embryonic cells produced by a freshwater
sponge for development in more favorable conditions. 
■ Archaeocytes (amoebocytes) - Cells with pseudopods, located in the mesohyl. used in
processing food, distributing it to other cells, and for other functions. 
■ Choanocyte - also called collar cells, choanocytes line the inner cavity of the sponge. It
has a sticky, funnel-shaped collar (that collects food particles). 
■ Flagellum- whip-like structure of a choanocyte; the flagellum moves, pushing water (which contains
nourishment) through the sponge. holdfast root-like tendrils that attach the sponge to rocks.
■ Mesohyl (mesenchyme) - the gelatinous layer between the outer body of the sponge and the
spongocoel (the inner cavity). 
■ Osculum - a large opening in a sponge through which water flows out of the sponge.Sponges may
have more than one oscula. 
■ Ostia - a series of tiny pores all over the body of a sponge that let water into the sponge. One of
these is called an ostium. pinacocyte - pinacocytes are the thin, flattened cells of the epidermis, the
sponge's outer layer of cells.
■ Porocyte - cells with pores that allow water into the sponge; they are located all over the sponge's
body. 
■ Sessile - permanently attached to a substrate and unable to move on its own. Adult sponges are
sessile.
■ Spicule - spicules are sharp spikes (made of calcium carbonate) located in the mesohyl. Spicules
form the "skeleton" of many sponges.
■ Spongin - the flexible, fibrous fibers that form the skeleton of horny sponges; spongin is located
within the mesohyl.
■ Spongocoel - the central, open cavity in a sponge through which water flows.   
Economic Importances of Poriferans

■ Romans used them for painting and moping

■ Some crustaceans use them as a food depending on their diet
■ Serves as secure houses for several crustaceans, worms, molluscs small fishes, and other aquatic
animals which seek protection in them against predaceous fishes and other enemies.
■ Some animals gets a rich food supply from the water circulating into sponge
■ The ancient Greeks used dried, fibrous skeletons of sponges for the purpose of bathing, washing,
scrubbing floor and padding shield and armour
■ Sponges are also used in wiping and cleaning hoot glass.
Economic Importances of Poriferans

■ ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF PORIFERANS

■ Romans used them for painting and moping
■ Some crustaceans use them as a food depending on their diet
■ Serves as secure houses for several crustaceans, worms, molluscs small fishes, and other aquatic
animals which seek protection in them against predaceous fishes and other enemies.
■ Some animals gets a rich food supply from the water circulating into sponge
■ The ancient Greeks used dried, fibrous skeletons of sponges for the purpose of bathing, washing,
scrubbing floor and padding shield and armour
■ Sponges are also used in wiping and cleaning hoot glass.