The Phylum Porifera includes the animals commonly known as sponges. This is a diverse group, with about 5000 known species. Most are marine, but around 150 species live in fresh water.
Considered the simplest of the animals, the cells of sponges are organized into tissues, but the tissues are not organized into organs. Their bodies are a sort of loose aggregation of different kinds of cells. Sponges are characterized by a unique feeding system involving a system of pores and canals through which water passes.
The four Classes of sponges are Calcarea (Calcispongiae), Hexactinellida (Hyalospongiae), Demospongiae, and Sclerospongiae (considered by many to be a subclass of Demospongiae).
More information
More information
Related categories 1
Sites 5
A good start on the biology of sponges, including phylogeny, life history, and ecology.
Description of the sponges and their taxonomy, from the Animal Diversity Web.
A central clearinghouse for sponge researchers, including a porifera listserver bulletin board and who's who in sponge research.
Links to a number of sponge-related sites.
Article by William Amos on sponges and their general biology, and the pistol shrimp and other creatures that live inside their chambers.
Description of the sponges and their taxonomy, from the Animal Diversity Web.
Links to a number of sponge-related sites.
A central clearinghouse for sponge researchers, including a porifera listserver bulletin board and who's who in sponge research.
Article by William Amos on sponges and their general biology, and the pistol shrimp and other creatures that live inside their chambers.
A good start on the biology of sponges, including phylogeny, life history, and ecology.
Other languages 1
