2. WHAT IS PORIFERA
?
• A phylum of aquatic invertebrate animals
that compromises the sponges and having
a cellular grade of construction without
true tissue or organ formation but with
the body permeated by canals and passes
in its course through one or more cavities
lined with choanocytes.
Or,
• Porifera is a group of most primitive
animals that are commonly known as
‘Sponges.’They are pore bearing animals.
3. CHARACTERISTICS
1. Multicellular organisms with cellular
level of body organization.No distinct
tissues or organs.
2. Mostly marine,a few freshwater,all
aquatic.
3. Solitary or colonical,all sessile.
4. Body form vase-
like,cylindrical,tubular,cushion-
shaped,many branched etc.
5. Symmetry radial or no symmetry.
6. Choanocytes or flagellated collar cells
usually line special chambers.Sponges
4. Classes Of
PoriferaCalcera
Body shape cylindrical or vase-like
Body organization of asconoid,syconoid or luconoid type
Exclusively marine
Small-sized calcareous sponges
Scypha
6. Classes Of
PoriferaDemonspongiae
Small to large-sized
Body shape like a vase
Spicules monaxon or tetraxon , never triaxon
All marine except freshwater family spongillidae
Oscarella
7.
8. IMPORTANCE OF PORIFERA
1. Sponges play an important role in aquatic ecosystem , acting to filter
particles out of water(especially bacteria)
2. They are important in nutrient cycles in coral reef systems
3. Use as a cleaning material for washing dishes
4. Sponges are also used to absorb and catch oil leaks
5. They are used to maintain the most in agriculture like in radish and some
fast growing seeds
6. Homes of other marine life(shrimp , sea stars , snails)
7. Food for fishes , shrimp
8. Toxins that sponges release can be used in
-Antibiotics