Sponges constitute the phylum Porifera, and have been defined as sessile metazoans (multicelled immobile animals) that have water intake and outlet openings connected by chambers lined with choanocytes, cells with whip-like flagella.

2025年1月13日 · Sponge, any of the primitive multicellular aquatic animals that constitute the phylum Porifera. They number approximately 5,000 described species and inhabit all seas, where they occur attached to surfaces from the intertidal zone to depths of …

The approximately 5,000 living sponge species are classified in the phylum Porifera, which is composed of three distinct groups, the Hexactinellida (glass sponges), the Demospongia, and the Calcarea (calcareous sponges). Sponges are characterized by the possession of a feeding system unique among animals.

2020年3月5日 · Porifera (Sponges) is one of the better-known groups of invertebrates. Due to their usefulness in the bath, many people who care nothing for invertebrates at least know their name and may even have seen a sponge’s skeleton on sale in a shop.

Sponges make up the simplest animal group on the planet: phylum Porifera (from the Latin porus ‘pore’ and ferre ‘to bear’). Having no digestive tract, localized sensory region, or true tissues, they are little more than a cluster of cells supported by a structure of spongin and spicules .

2024年10月21日 · Porifera, commonly known as sponges, are intriguing marine organisms that play a role in aquatic ecosystems. These simple yet complex creatures have thrived for millions of years, contributing to ocean health by filtering water …

Sponges are ubiquitous benthic creatures, found at all latitudes beneath the world's oceans, and from the intertidal to the deep-sea. Generally, they are sessile, though it has been shown that some are able to move slowly (up to 4 mm per day) within aquaria.

2024年12月30日 · Sea sponges (Porifera) are ancient marine animals that shape ocean ecosystems through their unique filtering abilities. Learn about their types, reproduction methods, and more.

Porifera is an early branching event in the history of animals and separated the sponges from other metazoans. As one would expect based on their phylogenetic position, fossil sponges are among the oldest known animal fossils, dating from the Late Precambrian.

The Porifera (L. parous = pore + ferre = bear) or sponges are lowly organised group of plant-like sessile animals remaining at­tached to the substratum. Of the described sponges, about 5,000 species are marine and very few are fresh water. They grow mainly in shallow waters but their habitat may extend up to a depth of 5,600 metres.