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Didemnum
sp.
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Iotrochota
protea |
Chondrosia
chucalla |
Mycale
sp. |
Sigmadocia
caerulea |
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We are the sponge group and we would like to tell you about these sponges. Sponges are the most basic and original of the multi-cellular animals. They do not contain any tissues or organs, but are cellular grade, meaning their whole body is made of cells put together. The body is supported by a skeleton of spicules, fiber, or some do not have a skeleton at all. All sponges live in the water, but most sponges are marine sponges. Some sponges are found anywhere from the intertidal to the deepest oceans. They are called sessile animals because they grow attached to stones, shells, or any solid object at the bottom of the ocean. Sponges have a unique way of getting their nutrients, breathing, and also releasing their waste. They have tiny pores all over their bodies that pump in water and filter out microscopic food particles. They get their food from the ocean water around them by filtering out through the pores to get plankton and dissolved nutrients. Their movement is when they pump sea water through their bodies. Some sponges contain chemicals that can irritate and burn the skin, so be cautious. Also be very careful of their sharp spicules. Be sure to handle sponges with gloves and tongs just in case. We have found many sponges while searching through the sites. Some of them were Sigmadocia sp. Suberites sp., Chondrosia chucalla, Iotrochora protea (staining sponge), Callyspongia diffusa, and Biemma fistulosa. We found many other sponges, but they are too hard to identify because there are just so many cool sponges. Hope you enjoy.
Sponges are made up of spicules and spongin. If a sponge has a lot of spicules it is firmer and if it has more spongin, the sponge is softer and smoother. Sponges have no organs or tissues. Sponges can be encrusting, meaning that they grow over rocks, dead coral, and other objects that are under water. Sponges can also grow upright in simple shapes. Some are vaselike. Sponges only grow where there is always water, even if the tide is out. They always need to be submerged. Sponges are hermaphrodites, meaning they can play the role of male or female. When they assume the role of a male they release their sperm into the water and the currents carry it along and it goes to other sponges. When sponges release sperm, it looks as if the sponge is smoking. Sponges can also reproduce asexually, meaning that if a sponge was broken in two, those two pieces can start growing and become two independent sponges. Sponges are filter feeders, meaning they filter microscopic particles out of the water. They can filter their own volume in twenty seconds. Some sponges, mostly the red and yellow ones, can be dangerous to humans. When you touch them with bare skin, the spicules of the sponge can get stuck in your skin and cause severe irritation. Another safety issue concerning sponges is that they can cause rocks to become slippery, so watch your step. Two interesting sponges included in this site were the staining sponge and the meandering sponge. The staining sponge emits a purple colored substance that “stains your skin when touched and stains the water purple”. The meandering sponge is known to be meandering in crevices, cracks, and caves, and on rocky shores. Common sponges in Oahu are Sigmadocia sp., Or the blue Sigmadocia. These sponges were found in 3 of the 5 sites that we went to. Suberites sp. Was also very common in the sites we visited. |
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