Sponges were not always taxonomically placed in the Kingdom Animalia. Why are sponges different from the rest of the animal kingdom? What are the key characteristics for the organisms in the Phylum Porifera? What are the 3 major subgroups, and how are they different?
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Sponges lack a number of features/characteristics associated with the average animal, yet are placed in Kingdom Animalia. Why? In your answer, include features of Porifera that support its classification in Animalia as well as features Porifera lacks that are found in the majority of all other animals?
Sri K.
There's no question that among invertebrate animal phyla, the Porifera are different from all other groups. But what is it that qualifies this phylum as an 'animal'? Please explain/describe the characteristics of sponges that cause them to be included in the monophyletic animal clade AND some features that separate them from the other major phyla: NOTE - This question is not asking for a description of sponges, but is asking for an explanation (based on characteristics) WHY they qualify as animals and how they differ (based on characteristics) from most other animal groups. Full credit will be given for complete and accurate, organized explanations.
Sponges are sessile, meaning that they: a) reproduce asexually. b) are parasitic and depend on their host for a constant supply of nutrients. c) have exoskeletons that they must shed as they grow. d) live within shells they find on the ocean floor. e) live attached to a solid structure and do not move around.
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