Sponges: Phylum Porifera

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Scuba sponges

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“pore-bearers”

Natural History of the Sponge:

Sponges are termed “Living fossils” since they represent the evolutionary oldest, still extant taxon.

According to fossil record the phylum Porifera dates back to the Precambrian period, arising from the Urmetazoa.1

The sponges have been grouped into 3 different classes:

•Demospongiae [some sponges with a siliceous spicule skeleton]

•Hexactinellida [sponges always with siliceous spicule skeleton]

These skeletons are characterized with hydrated, amorphous

and non-crystalline silica (SiO2/H20).

•Calcarea [sponges with calcareous skeleton]

This skeleton is characterized with Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3).2

Phylogenetic position of the Porifera, demonstrating all 3 classes.

http://cees.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/root/OceanEcosystems/Articles/2006/GieskesWWC-Siliceous/

Close to 10,000 species of sponge populate the underwaters:

Salt Water

Fresh Water

Tropics

Antartica

Shallows of Coral Reefs

Deep Trenches 3 miles down3

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Anatomy of the sponge:

The sponge is a sessile (permanently attached; non-motile) animal. It utilizes a proteoglycan-like molecule termed the aggregation factor 31-32 for its adhesive properties.4

Structural support is based upon the formulation of a endoskeleton. Made up of collagen, spongin, and mineral sclera(spicules),the skeleton stabilizes and protects the sponge. 5

Skeletal formation is based on mineral secretions of calcite, aragonite, and/or silica. This formation also functions by:

Precise control of intracellular calcium carbonate precipitation releases protons, which contribute to the acid pH maintenance necessary for sponge biological processes.

HCO3+ Ca2 →CaCO3+H+ 4

• The sponge endoskeleton is covered with a leathery skin embedded with small pores that let in a steady stream of saltwater.

• The body of the sponge forma a wall around a hollow cavity.

• The current of water is powered by flagella of cells called collar-cells.

• The body is made up of 3 main cell types

1. Pinacocytes 2. Mesohyl cells 3. choanocytes

The shape and appearance of the sponges anatomical structures change as these cells rearrange themselves in response to environmental stimulations.

The body of the sponge has a radial symmetry.

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THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE BODY PLANS

ASCONOID

LEUCONOID

SYCONOID

Canals run straight

through the sponge.

Choanocytes line the

Central large

“spongocoel”

Longer, more branched canals leading

to special chambers. No Choanocytes.

Thicker body walls than asconoid,

With branching canals

ASCONOID LEUCONOID

SYCONOID

BODY TYPES

A distinguishing feature of the sponge’s anatomy is its lack of internal organs: HOWEVER:

Eating occurs via filter feeding

Circulation occurs via hollow canal systems (water flows

through the system bringing oxygen and removing wastes.)

Reproduction occurs asexually and sexually

Growth occurs by the rejoining of cell clusters

Movement occurs by the rearrangement of cells, one cell

at a time; it creeps along

Nervous system communication occurs by electrical impulses

(The sponge “shuts down” in response to danger)

Protection occurs by the excretion of noxious chemicals

and the physical avoidance of skeletal spicules3

IMPORTANT SPONGE ECOLOGY

Sponges are a major source of unusual secondary metabolites.

These compounds are known to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as antitumoral, antifungal,antiviral, and antibacterial.7

Sponge antifouling agents have been investigated for the protection of ships and other immersed structures against aquatic growth.8

Secondary metabolites are also utilized as nutritional supplements, molecular probes, and agrochemicals.9

Examples of secondary metabolites:9

Bryostatin 1 (anticancer agent) Licensed by Bristol- Mayers Squibb.

Monoalide (anti-inflammitory) Licensed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals

Psuedopteronsins (cosmetic skin care product)

Licensed by Este’e Lauder

Examples of secondary metabolites:9

Marine sponges are an ecologically important and highly diverse component of marine communities. Their commercial potential and evolutionary importance is increasingly recognized.

Studies to date have helped reveal that sponge populations are genetically highly structured and that historical processes may have played an important role in that structure.

Increasingly sophisticated molecular tools are now being applied, with results contributing significantly to a better understanding of poriferan microevolutionary processes and molecular ecology.10

Quiz

1. What is the correct term for the following statements?A. The large opening for the outflow of water at the top of the sponge.B. Class of sponge that has silica spicules. C. The large cavity in the middle of the sponges body. D. Individual unit of a sponge skeleton. E. Potent anti-bacterial and anti-cancer agent isolated from the sponge.

Multiple choice:

2. Sponges:a. do not exhibit true tissuesb. do not possess internal organsc. do not possess an endodermd. all of the abovee. A and B

Cont...3. Which of the following organisms are sessile filter feeders, lack true tissues, and are classified according to the type of spicules they contain?

a. Cnidariab. Poriferac. Platyhelminthesd. Nematodae. none of the above

4. Roughly how many species of Porifera are there?a. 20,000b. 10,000c. 60,000d. 100,000e. unidentified

5. Body plans of the Phylum Porifera include all of the following EXCEPT:a. Asconoidb. Mulitnoidc. Leuconoidd. Syconoi

REFERENCES

• Muller, W.E.G,[Belikov,S.,Wolfgang,T.,Perry,C.,Gieskes,W.C.,Boreiko,A.,Schroder,H Siliceous Spicules in Marine Demosponges (Example Suberites domuncula). Micron. 2005 September, Vol.37;pgs. 107-120.[Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://cees.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/FILES/root/OceanEcosystems/Articles/2006/GieskesWWC-Siliceous/2006mulmicron372006.pdf

• Muller, W.E.G.[Muller, I.M.] Sponges: Porifera. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidleburg.2003.pgs.1-6. [Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://books.google.com/books?id=QMOaHmkYd5oC&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=recent+molecular+phylogenies+suggest+that+all+metazoan+phyla+originate+from&source=web&ots=NGqMBw0prP&sig=D165GjxEqqZ4Km0T06d9qAEuhcQ#PPA4,M1

• Stewart,D. Sponges Get Respect. International Wildlife.1999 July/August. Vol. 29;no. 4.pg 27.[Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://proquest.com.

• Uriz, M.J.,Mineral Skeletogenesis in Sponges. Canadian Journal of Zoology.2006 February. Vol.84, no.2;pgs.322-356. [Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nrc/cjz/2006/00000084/00000002/art00014.

• Nickel,M.,[Hammel,J.U.,Donath,T.,Beckmann,F.] Quantative Morphometrics and Contraction Analysis of the Marine Sponge Tethya wilhelma Using Synchrotron Radiation Based X-ray Microtomography and in Vivo X-ray Imaging. Department of Zoology, University of Stuttgart. No date given. [Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://hasyweb.desy.de/science/annual_reports/2005_report/part1/contrib/47/13996.pdf.

• Bond, C. Continuous Cell Movements Rearrange Anatomical Structures in Intact Sponges. Journal of Experimental Zoology. 2005 May. Vol.263, no.3; pgs. 284-302. [Internet] Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/110491521/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

• Clavico, E.E.G.,[Muricy, G., daGama,B.A.P.,Batista, D., Ventura, C.R.R., Periera, R. C.] Ecological Roles of Natural Products from the Marine Sponge Geodia corticostylifera. Marine Biology. 2006. Vol.148. pgs. 479-488. [Internet] Retrieved November 7, 2007 from http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7672k550740515x/.

• Braekman, J.C.[Daloze, D.] Chemical and Biological Aspects of Sponge Secondary Metabolites. Phytochemistry Reviews. 2004 January. Vol. 3. no. 3. pgs 275-283. [Internet] Retrieved November 7, 2007 from http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/phyt/2004/00000003/00000003/00003253;jsessionid=4s3ujambqrljt.alice?format=print.

• Kijjoa,A.[Sawangwong, P.] Drugs and Cosmetics from the Sea. Marine Drugs. 2004 May. Vol.2. pgs. 73-82. [Internet] Retrieved November 7, 2007 from http://www.mdpi.org/marinedrugs/papers/md202073.pdf.

• Worheide, G.[Sole-Cava, A., Hooper, J.] Biodiversity, Molecular Ecology and Phylogeography of Marine Sponges:Patterns, implications and outlooks. Integ.Comp.Biol. 2005. Vol. 45. pgs.377-385. [Internet] Retrieved November 7, 2007 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4054/is_200504/ai_n13640632.