About Sponges
Sponges come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. There is estimated to be around 5,000 species of sponges which includes Marine and freshwater. Sponges are invertebrates (no backbone) and are one of the most simple animals on Earth. Sponges are sessile and attach themselves to rocks, coral reefs, or the ocean bottom. Also, unlike most animals sponges don't posses either bilateral or radial symmetry.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Subclass: Ceractinomorpha
Order: Haplosclerina
Family: Callyspongiidae
Genus: Callyspongia
Species: plicifera
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Subclass: Ceractinomorpha
Order: Haplosclerina
Family: Callyspongiidae
Genus: Callyspongia
Species: plicifera
Location & Habitat
Inhabits coral reefs in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Florida.
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Coral reefs are found in shallow water. Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the worlds surface, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species.
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Coral reefs are found in shallow water. Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the worlds surface, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species.
Human Impact
Coral Reefs are dying around the world. In particular, coral mining, pollution (organic and non-organic), overfishing, blast fishing, and the digging of canals and access into islands and bays are serious threats to these ecosystems. Coral reefs also face high dangers from diseases, destructive fishing practices and warming oceans. In 2008 estimates assembled from coral reef specialists from around the world indicated that 19% of the existing area of coral reefs has already been lost, and that a further 15% is likely to be lost over the subsequent 10–20 years. Only 46% of the world’s reefs could be currently regarded as in good health. About 60% of the world's reefs may be at risk due to destructive, human-related activities.
Interesting Facts
- The Azure Vase Sponge is one of the most colorful sponges in the world
- It has many grooves and pits on the outside and grows to be around 18 inches tall
- It ranges in color from pink to purple to flourescent light blue