Scribd
Upload
194 views2 pages

Unit III Porifera

Porifera, or sponges, are sedentary aquatic organisms characterized by a lack of true symmetry, organs, and nervous tissues, with a body structure featuring pores and a canal system for water circulation. They are classified into four main classes based on their skeletal composition: Hexactinellida, Calcarea, Demospongia, and Scelerospongia, each with distinct features and examples. Reproduction occurs both asexually and sexually, with development involving free-swimming larvae.

Uploaded by

tayoshree23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
194 views2 pages

Unit III Porifera

Porifera, or sponges, are sedentary aquatic organisms characterized by a lack of true symmetry, organs, and nervous tissues, with a body structure featuring pores and a canal system for water circulation. They are classified into four main classes based on their skeletal composition: Hexactinellida, Calcarea, Demospongia, and Scelerospongia, each with distinct features and examples. Reproduction occurs both asexually and sexually, with development involving free-swimming larvae.

Uploaded by

tayoshree23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Unit III: Porifera

General Characteristics:

 Sedentary, aquatic, sessile adults, occurring singly or in colonies.


 Generally, no characteristic symmetry is seen.
 Multicellular but with few cell types; tissue organisation very much restricted and lacking organs and co-
ordination between cells.
 Body perforated by several pores.
 They possess a canal system through which water current flows transporting food and oxygen.
 Characteristic flagellated cells called choanocytes, lines the inner side of the body wall and are related with
water circulation and feeding.
 Absence of a true body cavity or gut. Presence of an elaborate skeletal system of either calcareous or
siliceous spicules or protein (collagen, sometimes called spongin) fibres or a combination of these.
 Sometimes, foreign particles may also be present. Exclusively filter feeder; Gas exchange by diffusion.
 Absence of nervous tissues.
 Both hermaphrodite and gonochoristic forms exist. Reproduction occurs both asexually by buds and
gemmules, and sexually.
 The ova and sperms develop from the archaeocytes.
 Development indirect through a free swimming, ciliated, planktonic larvae.

Basis of Classification:
The phylum Porifera consists of 10,000 species of which 50 are fresh water ones. Based on the type of skeleton
system. The classification followed in this text is based on the classificatory plan outlined by Ruppert and Barnes,
1994.

Class :- Hexactinellida ( Greek: hex, six; actions, rays)

Characters :-

(i) Skeleton of six rayed or triaxon siliceous spicules often fused into vase shaped structure.

(ii) Choanocytes are restricted to finger like simple or folded chambers.

(iii) The spongocoel opens by a wide osculam.

Examples :- Euplectella; Hyolonema; Pheronema; Monoraphis


Class :- Calcarea ( Latin: Calcarius, limy)

Characters :-

(i) Skeleton of separate spicules made of calcium carbonate,either calcite or Aragonite.

(ii) Osculam narrow & provided with oscular fringe.

(iii) Entirely marine,shallow coastal water species.

Examples :- Sycon(Scypha); Leucosolenia; Grantia;

Class :- Demospongia (Greek: demos, people; sponges, sponge)

Characters :-

(i) Skeleton composed of siliceous spicules, sponging fibres or both.

(ii) Choanocytes form very small, rounded type of flagellated chambers.

(iii) Mostly marine but few are freshwater.

Examples :- Spongilla(freshwater spong); Euspongia(bath spong); Clino;(boring or sulphur sponge); Hippospongia


(horse sponge)

Class :- Scelerospongia

Characters :-

(i) Marine, exhibits cryptic habits & poafer caves.

(ii) Skeleton contains spicules of both silica & argonitic calcite as well as spongin.

(iii) Spicules, spongin fibres & the surrounding living tissues rest on a solid basal skeleton of calcium carbonate or
are enclosed within calcium carbonate chambers.

Examples :- Acanthochaetetes; Astrosclera; Stromatospongia;

You might also like