The sponges: the simplest multicellular animals, with no true tissues or organs, a porous body built around a system of internal water channels, and specialized collar cells (choanocytes) that filter food particles from the water they pump through themselves. Nearly all sponges are marine and permanently attached to a hard surface as adults.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Count Band Era First Appeared Disputed
Member Species/Taxa CountApproximate described-species (or, for a genus, described-taxon) count; continually revised as species are newly described, reclassified or synonymized. Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ18960, descriptionView the Source 2. Catalogue of Life
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Porifera
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 9879
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Porifera
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Porifera" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 1000 ... "early_interval": "Tonian"
Wikidata: Porifera
Sponge, Wikipedia
In Group: Major Animal Phyla, LeadQuote, In Group: Major Animal Phyla, Lead
Sponges or sea sponges are primarily marine invertebrates of the animal phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer').
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