Made by Serif
© 2010 Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives
© 2007 Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives
Welcome to the feature creature page. Here you will find short articles on different marine creatures. A new article will be featured each month.
Sponges
Sponges are from the phylum Porifera, and are the simplest multi-
Sponges lack distinct tissues and organs and have no nervous system or power of
locomotion. The basic functions of life, such as feeding, oxygen uptake and waste
removal, are carried out by specialised individual cells. Sponges have a single layer
of outer cells, an inner layer within feeding chambers and an internal matrix of
organic and mineral supporting structures. This skeletal material is made up of spongin,
a fibrous protein, and crystalline needle-
They are filter feeders and their bodies are organised around a system of water canals. Water is drawn in through pores where oxygen and food particles are removed, the water is then pumped out through larger pores. These pores are usually easy to see on the sponge itself. Next time you find one on the beach, have a close look. Sponges can pass their own volume of water in 10 seconds and they are constantly filtering our oceans.
Sponges grow best in areas of strong wave action and there myriad of colour and shapes make a pretty display in our rockpools.
Written by Robyn Aitkens
Photographs by Chris Roberts and Ivon Sebastian