Porifera are a part of the kingdom Anamalia (which contains roughly 35 phyla), and the domain Eukarya. Porifera contain three main lower classes, Hexactinellida (glass sponges), Calcarea (calcareous sponges - having spicules), Demospongiae (demosponges), and Scleropongiae(coralline or tropical reef sponges). Eg:
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Basic Characteristics of Porifera
- Size: 0.4 in. - 6.6 ft tall. As much as 1-2 meters in diameter. Largest: Aphrocallistes Vasus (the Cloud Sponge) 11.5ftx3.6ft. Smallest: Sycon Cillatum (the Tiny Sponge) maximum height 0.002 inches.
- Weight: No reliable information available
- Coloration: Deep water sponges are often drab brownish. Shallow water sponges are brighter, they can be red, yellow, orange, violet, black and white (most Porifera of the Calcareous class are white).
- Reproduction: Sexual and Asexual (releases zygotes so densely sponge may appear to be smoking).
- Lifespan: Approximately 10 years
- Number of Species: (debated) 5,000-26,553
- Defense against Predators: Some sponges contain toxic chemicals, presumably as a defense mechanism.
- Most complex formation: debate on whether they have tissue.
Life Cycle:
- Sexual reproduction, zygotes are released from the male sponge, randomly fertilizing females, which then produce a larva. Asexual reproduction, zygotes are fertilized within one sponge and gemmule/fragment/larva is released.
- Larva floats through current or attaches to plankton.
- Larva attaches to sediment.
- Larva begins the stages of growth: becoming a sponge.
- Sponge begins to reproduce.