Calcareous sponge: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:58, 23 March 2025

Class of sponges

Calcareous sponges (Class: Calcarea) are a class of sponges characterized by their calcium carbonate spicules. These sponges are exclusively marine and are found in shallow waters across the world. They are known for their simple structure and are considered to be among the most primitive of the sponge classes.

Description[edit]

Calcareous sponges are distinguished by their spicules, which are made of calcium carbonate. These spicules can be in the form of triaxons, tetraxons, or monaxons, and they provide structural support to the sponge. The body of a calcareous sponge is typically small and can be vase-shaped, tubular, or irregular.

The body wall of calcareous sponges is composed of a single layer of cells, and they possess a simple canal system. Water enters through small pores called ostia, flows through the spongocoel, and exits through a larger opening called the osculum. This flow of water facilitates the sponge's feeding, respiration, and excretion processes.

Reproduction[edit]

Calcareous sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, they produce gametes, and fertilization occurs internally. The resulting larvae are free-swimming and eventually settle to form new sponges. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding or fragmentation, where parts of the sponge break off and develop into new individuals.

Ecology[edit]

Calcareous sponges are found in a variety of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deeper oceanic regions. They often inhabit rocky substrates and coral reefs. These sponges play a role in the marine ecosystem by filtering water and providing habitat for other marine organisms.

Diversity[edit]

The class Calcarea is divided into two subclasses: Calcinea and Calcaronea. These subclasses are further divided into several orders and families, each containing a variety of species with unique morphological characteristics.

Significance[edit]

Calcareous sponges are of interest to scientists due to their simple body plan and evolutionary significance. They provide insights into the early evolution of multicellular organisms and the development of skeletal structures.

Related pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Leucosolenia botryoides
Leucandra losangelensis
Sycon ciliatum
Leucilla nuttingi

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-'''Calcareous sponges''' are a group of [[sponge]]s belonging to the class '''Calcarea''' within the animal phylum [[Porifera]]. These marine organisms are characterized by their calcareous skeletons, which are composed of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite. Unlike other sponges that have siliceous spicules, calcareous sponges possess spicules made entirely of calcium carbonate, which can be either monaxonic (single axis) or tetraxonic (four axes).
+{{Short description|Class of sponges}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Calcareous sponges
+| image = Clathrina_clathrus_(Schmidt,_1864)_et_Hemimycale_columella_(Bowerbank,_1874).jpg
+| image_caption = ''Clathrina clathrus''
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
+| phylum = [[Porifera]]
+| classis = '''Calcarea'''
+}}
-==Characteristics==
+'''Calcareous sponges''' (Class: Calcarea) are a class of [[sponges]] characterized by their calcium carbonate spicules. These sponges are exclusively marine and are found in shallow waters across the world. They are known for their simple structure and are considered to be among the most primitive of the sponge classes.
-Calcareous sponges are found in a variety of shapes, including tubular, vase-shaped, and branching forms. They are generally small, with most species being less than 10 cm in height. The body structure of calcareous sponges is simple, consisting of three layers: the outer layer ([[Pinacoderm]]), the middle layer ([[Mesohyl]]), and the inner layer ([[Choanoderm]]). The choanoderm is lined with [[choanocyte]]s, cells that create a water flow through the sponge and aid in feeding by trapping particles.
-==Habitat and Distribution==
+==Description==
-Calcareous sponges are predominantly found in shallow marine waters, although some species inhabit depths of up to 200 meters. They are distributed worldwide, from polar to tropical regions, and are often found attached to rocks or other hard substrates on the sea floor.
+Calcareous sponges are distinguished by their spicules, which are made of calcium carbonate. These spicules can be in the form of triaxons, tetraxons, or monaxons, and they provide structural support to the sponge. The body of a calcareous sponge is typically small and can be vase-shaped, tubular, or irregular.
+[[File:Clathrina_lacunosa_111198014.jpg|thumb|left|''Clathrina lacunosa'']]
+The body wall of calcareous sponges is composed of a single layer of cells, and they possess a simple canal system. Water enters through small pores called ostia, flows through the spongocoel, and exits through a larger opening called the osculum. This flow of water facilitates the sponge's feeding, respiration, and excretion processes.
 ==Reproduction==
-Calcareous sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the release of sperm into the water column, which is then captured by other sponges where fertilization occurs internally. The resulting larvae are free-swimming and settle on a substrate to grow into a new sponge. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding or fragmentation, where a part of the sponge breaks off and develops into a new individual.
+Calcareous sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, they produce gametes, and fertilization occurs internally. The resulting larvae are free-swimming and eventually settle to form new sponges. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding or fragmentation, where parts of the sponge break off and develop into new individuals.
+==Ecology==
+Calcareous sponges are found in a variety of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deeper oceanic regions. They often inhabit rocky substrates and coral reefs. These sponges play a role in the marine ecosystem by filtering water and providing habitat for other marine organisms.
-==Classification==
+[[File:Leucetta_chagosensis_(10.11646-zootaxa.4426.1.1)_Figure_43.jpg|thumb|right|''Leucetta chagosensis'']]
-The class Calcarea is divided into three orders: [[Leucosolenida]], [[Lithonida]], and [[Sycettida]], based on the morphology of their spicules and skeletal arrangements. This classification is supported by both morphological and molecular data.
-==Ecological Role==
+==Diversity==
-Calcareous sponges play a significant role in marine ecosystems. They are involved in the cycling of calcium carbonate, contribute to the structure of reefs, and provide habitat for a variety of marine organisms. Additionally, they are filter feeders, playing a crucial role in water purification by removing suspended particles and bacteria.
+The class Calcarea is divided into two subclasses: Calcinea and Calcaronea. These subclasses are further divided into several orders and families, each containing a variety of species with unique morphological characteristics.
-==Conservation==
+==Significance==
-While calcareous sponges are not currently the focus of major conservation efforts, they are susceptible to the same threats that affect other marine organisms, such as ocean acidification, pollution, and habitat destruction. The impact of these threats on calcareous sponge populations is an area of ongoing research.
+Calcareous sponges are of interest to scientists due to their simple body plan and evolutionary significance. They provide insights into the early evolution of multicellular organisms and the development of skeletal structures.
-==Research and Importance==
+==Related pages==
-Research on calcareous sponges has contributed to our understanding of early animal evolution and the evolutionary history of skeletal formation. Their simple body plan and the presence of choanocytes, which are similar to the cells of [[Choanoflagellate]]s, provide insights into the transition from unicellular to multicellular life forms.
+* [[Sponge]]
+* [[Porifera]]
+* [[Marine biology]]
-[[Category:Porifera]]
+[[File:Calcareous_Sponge_(Leucetta_primigenia)_(8478940474).jpg|thumb|left|''Leucetta primigenia'']]
-[[Category:Marine biology]]
-[[Category:Invertebrates]]
-{{Porifera-stub}}
+==Gallery==
 <gallery>
-File:Clathrina_clathrus_(Schmidt,_1864)_et_Hemimycale_columella_(Bowerbank,_1874).jpg|Calcareous_sponge
+File:Leucosolenia_botryoides_43980050.jpg|''Leucosolenia botryoides''
-File:Clathrina_lacunosa_111198014.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
+File:Leucandra_losangelensis_214277336.jpg|''Leucandra losangelensis''
-File:Leucetta_chagosensis_(10.11646-zootaxa.4426.1.1)_Figure_43.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
+File:Sycon_ciliatum_29886028.jpg|''Sycon ciliatum''
-File:Calcareous_Sponge_(Leucetta_primigenia)_(8478940474).jpg|Calcareous_sponge
+File:Urn_Sponge_(Leucilla_nuttingi)_(8371714007).jpg|''Leucilla nuttingi''
-File:Leucosolenia_botryoides_43980050.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Leucandra_losangelensis_214277336.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Sycon_ciliatum_29886028.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Urn_Sponge_(Leucilla_nuttingi)_(8371714007).jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Jurassic_Calcarea_Matmor_Israel.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Matmor_calcisponge_Peronidella.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-File:Fossil_Porosphaera_Globularis_Rethen_(Vordorf),_Germany.jpg|Calcareous_sponge
-</gallery>
-<gallery>
-File:Haeckel_Calcispongiae.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Clathrina_clathrus_(Schmidt,_1864)_et_Hemimycale_columella_(Bowerbank,_1874).jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Clathrina_lacunosa_111198014.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Leucetta_chagosensis_(10.11646-zootaxa.4426.1.1)_Figure_43.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Calcareous_Sponge_(Leucetta_primigenia)_(8478940474).jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Leucosolenia_botryoides_43980050.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Leucandra_losangelensis_214277336.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Sycon_ciliatum_29886028.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Urn_Sponge_(Leucilla_nuttingi)_(8371714007).jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Jurassic_Calcarea_Matmor_Israel.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Matmor_calcisponge_Peronidella.jpg|Calcareous sponge
-File:Fossil_Porosphaera_Globularis_Rethen_(Vordorf),_Germany.jpg|Calcareous sponge
 </gallery>
+[[Category:Calcarea]]
+[[Category:Sponges]]
+[[Category:Marine animals]]