Sponges — simple aquatic animals with dense, yet porous, skeletons — are highly adapted to their environments. A variety of sponges dot the seascape of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. From round to encrusting to branching, the colors and textures of sponges add to the complexity of the reef. Credit: G.P. Schmahl. Did you know?

Sponges are multicellular organisms consisting of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells, and usually have tube-like bodies full of pores and channels that allow water to circulate through them.

May 9, 2022 · Reef-building sponges form enormous barrels, elegant vases, massive boulders, twisting branches, and clusters of tubes like a church organ. Other sponges bore into rocks and corals, and some form a crust over underwater objects, like living wallpaper.

Jul 7, 2023 · Sea sponges are captivating organisms that inhabit the world’s oceans, playing a vital role in marine ecosystems. In this article, we’ll explore 18 intriguing sea sponge facts, shedding light on their diverse forms, unique characteristics, and ecological significance.

Jun 27, 2022 · The sea sponge is one of the world’s simplest multi-cellular living organisms. They have been present on Earth for around 500 million years. There are over 5,000 identified species – 200 of which can be found in fresh water.

Branching sponges extend finger-like or branching projections, maximizing their surface area for filtration and creating intricate underwater architectures. The internal anatomy of sea sponges is similar to many coral species. It is made up of a skeleton, made of …

Aug 10, 2023 · Sponges are found all throughout the ocean, from coral reefs and dock pilings to the deep sea, and they grow in both tropical and cold environments. There are even some freshwater sponges. There are around 10,0000 known sponge species, and scientists are still discovering new species throughout the world, particularly in deep-sea habitats.

May 18, 2020 · Marine sponges may not look like much, but these animals (yes, animals) are fascinating organisms. Today we delve into their morphology, how they reproduce and what they eat. Not only do sponges create homes for a variety of different organisms, but they also provide compounds for pharmaceuticals.

Mar 11, 2014 · A sponge is covered with tiny pores, called ostia, which lead internally to a system of canals and eventually out to one or more larger holes, called oscula. Within the canals of the sponge, chambers are lined with specialized cells called choanocytes, or collar cells.

When walking along the sea beach or wading through shallow water your at tenti on may have been attracted by odd-shaped objects that looked l ike str ange plants. These objects may have been sponges, the most primitive multicellular creatures of the animal kingdow.