PORIFERA

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PORIFERA!!!!

• (Aka sponges)

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Metazoa

• Sponges are from the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa
• Some of the oldest known animal fossils are from
  the sponge
• 900 genera of fossils
• 5000 living
• species

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Kingdom AnimaliaPhylum Porifera

• Sponges are in the phylum porifera and are
  categorized into three groups
• Hexactinellida (glass sponge)
• Demospongia
• Calcarea

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SPONGES

• Characterized by their unique feeding system
• Lack a mouth
• Instead have pores on the sides of their bodies
  which water is drawn through
• Cells filter out goodies in the water and expunge
  it through larger openings

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Multicellular BARELY

• Flow of water is driven in one direction by
  flagella
• These flagella attached to end of collar cells
• There are only four types of cells in the sponge
• Collar
• Porocytes (form the pores)
• Amebocytes (help convert food and circulate it in
  the sponge also for skelatal fibers)
• Epidermal cells form the outside skin

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Where are they?

• Benthos organisms found on the ocean floor
• 99 are found in seawater, but some are found in
  freshwater
• Prefer clear water as opposed to murky
• Prefer warm water
• Can live in any environment, up to 8km down even!!

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Interesting??

• Believed that their color comes from adaptation
  to the suns UV rays
• Release toxic substances into environment to
  ensure that they have a nice place to live!
• Some species of Sponges are carniverous! (eat
  other organisms)