v. 1. Protozoa / edited by Frederick W. Harrison, John O. Corlis -- v. 2. Placozoa, Porifera, Cnidaria, and Ctenophora / edited by Frederick W. Harrison, Jane A ...
The term sponge derives from the Ancient Greek word σπόγγος spóngos. [16] The scientific name Porifera is a neuter plural of the Modern Latin term porifer, which comes from the roots porus meaning "pore, opening", and -fer meaning "bearing or carrying".
Phylum Porifera- Porifera are all aquatic, mostly marine except one family Spongillidae which lives in freshwater. Examples: Sycon.
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 8,500 metres (29,000 feet) or more. The members of one family, the Spongillidae, are found in fresh water; however, 98 percent of all sponge species are ...
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.
The phylum name Porifera means pore-bearing. Sponges take their name from small holes that cover their bodies. The history of life is written on the bodies of the animals that previously inhabited and continue to inhabit earth. As we learn about the different invertebrate phyla, we will be able to chart some of this history. Sponges are considered to be one of the simplest animals, primarily ...
This clade currently includes only the phylum Placozoa (containing a single species, Trichoplax adhaerens), and the phylum Porifera, containing the more familiar sponges (Figure 28.2). The split between the Parazoa and the Eumetazoa (all animal clades above Parazoa) likely took place over a billion years ago.