Calcarea is a class of sponges in the phylum Porifera, distinguished from other sponges by skeletal spicules made of calcium carbonate in the form of high-magnesium calcite or aragonite. Around 800 species are known, a small share of the roughly 11,000 living sponge species overall. Calcareous sponges are exclusively marine, mostly found in shallow tropical waters, and live as small, sedentary filter feeders usually under 10 centimeters tall, some brightly colored despite the group's generally drab reputation.
Facts
Classification
Living or Extinct Taxonomic Rank Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ209924, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Calcareous sponge
WikipediaIntroduction
The calcareous sponges or calcereans are sponges that make up the class Calcarea, characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate in the form of high-magnesium calcite or aragonite.
In Group: Sponge Classes, Lead
The calcareous sponges or calcereans are sponges that make up the class Calcarea, characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate in the form of high-magnesium calcite or aragonite.
View the Source Wikidata: Calcarea
Wikidata Q209924, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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