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de Goeij JM, van Oevelen D, Vermeij MJA, Osinga R, Middelburg JJ, de Goeij AFPM and Admiraal W (2013) "Surviving in a marine desert: the sponge loop retains resources within coral reefs". Science, 342: 108−110. a b c Krautter M (1998). "Ecology of siliceous sponges: Application to the environmental interpretation of the Upper Jurassic sponge facies (Oxfordian) from Spain" (PDF). Cuadernos de Geología Ibérica. 24: 223–239. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2009 . Retrieved 2008-10-10. Most sponges are detritivores which filter organic debris particles and microscopic life forms from ocean water. In particular, sponges occupy an important role as detritivores in coral reef food webs by recycling detritus to higher trophic levels. [67] a b Feuda R, Dohrmann M, Pett W, Philippe H, Rota-Stabelli O, Lartillot N, etal. (December 2017). "Improved Modeling of Compositional Heterogeneity Supports Sponges as Sister to All Other Animals". Current Biology. 27 (24): 3864–3870.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.11.008. PMID 29199080.
Even if a few sponges are able to produce mucus – which acts as a microbial barrier in all other animals – no sponge with the ability to secrete a functional mucus layer has been recorded. Without such a mucus layer their living tissue is covered by a layer of microbial symbionts, which can contribute up to 40–50% of the sponge wet mass. This inability to prevent microbes from penetrating their porous tissue could be a major reason why they have never evolved a more complex anatomy. [22] Analyses since 2001 have concluded that Eumetazoa (more complex than sponges) are more closely related to particular groups of sponges than to other sponge groups. Such conclusions imply that sponges are not monophyletic, because the last common ancestor of all sponges would also be a direct ancestor of the Eumetazoa, which are not sponges. A study in 2001 based on comparisons of ribosome DNA concluded that the most fundamental division within sponges was between glass sponges and the rest, and that Eumetazoa are more closely related to calcareous sponges (those with calcium carbonate spicules) than to other types of sponge. [113] In 2007, one analysis based on comparisons of RNA and another based mainly on comparison of spicules concluded that demosponges and glass sponges are more closely related to each other than either is to the calcareous sponges, which in turn are more closely related to Eumetazoa. [98] [115] Besides a one to one symbiotic relationship, it is possible for a host to become symbiotic with a microbial consortium. Sponges are able to host a wide range of microbial communities that can also be very specific. The microbial communities that form a symbiotic relationship with the sponge can amount to as much as 35% of the biomass of its host. [84] The term for this specific symbiotic relationship, where a microbial consortia pairs with a host is called a holobiotic relationship. The sponge as well as the microbial community associated with it will produce a large range of secondary metabolites that help protect it against predators through mechanisms such as chemical defense. [85] Magdalena (18 December 2020). "Utilizing sponge spicules in taxonomic, ecological and environmental reconstructions: a review". PeerJ. 8: e10601. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10601. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 7751429. PMID 33384908.
Spunj Ultra Thirsty Absorbent Pink Sponge
Porterfield WM (1955). "Loofah — The sponge gourd". Economic Botany. 9 (3): 211–223. doi: 10.1007/BF02859814. S2CID 27313678.
Sponges reproduce both asexually and sexually. Most species that use sexual reproduction release sperm cells into the water to fertilize ova that in some species are released and in others are retained by the "mother". The fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which swim off in search of places to settle. [12] Sponges are known for regenerating from fragments that are broken off, although this only works if the fragments include the right types of cells. Some species reproduce by budding. When environmental conditions become less hospitable to the sponges, for example as temperatures drop, many freshwater species and a few marine ones produce gemmules, "survival pods" of unspecialized cells that remain dormant until conditions improve; they then either form completely new sponges or recolonize the skeletons of their parents. [13] a b Webster NS, Thomas T (April 2016). "The Sponge Hologenome". mBio. 7 (2): e00135-16. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00135-16. PMC 4850255. PMID 27103626. A very large and internally consistent alignment of 1,719proteins at the metazoan scale, published in 2017, showed that (i)sponges – represented by Homoscleromorpha, Calcarea, Hexactinellida, and Demospongiae – are monophyletic, (ii)sponges are sister-group to all other multicellular animals, (iii)ctenophores emerge as the second-earliest branching animal lineage, and (iv) placozoans emerge as the third animal lineage, followed by cnidarians sister-group to bilaterians. [4] Watling L (2007). "Predation on copepods by an Alaskan cladorhizid sponge". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 87 (6): 1721–1726. doi: 10.1017/S0025315407058560. S2CID 86588792. Looking for something a bit smaller than one of our whole cakes? Why not send a friend, relative or loved one a Cake Card - a slice or two of cake delivered straight through their letterbox. Our Baby Sponges are also perfect for gifts and are a great alternative to cupcakes - they are mini versions of our whole cakes. Individually wrapped and are great for parties, presents, weddings and afternoon tea! Our mini cake delivery service means you can get these baby cakes delivered directly to you or a loved one anywhere in the UK.
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Sponges were traditionally distributed in three classes: calcareous sponges (Calcarea), glass sponges (Hexactinellida) and demosponges (Demospongiae). However, studies have shown that the Homoscleromorpha, a group thought to belong to the Demospongiae, is actually phylogenetically well separated. [92] Therefore, they have recently been recognized as the fourth class of sponges. [93] [94] a b c Vacelet J, Boury-Esnault N (1995). "Carnivorous sponges". Nature. 373 (6512): 333–335. Bibcode: 1995Natur.373..333V. doi: 10.1038/373333a0. S2CID 4320216. Sponges". Cervical Barrier Advancement Society. 2004. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009 . Retrieved 2006-09-17. Keep an eye out for the special offer for the week, each week is a different delicious flavour; stay up to date with the weekly flavours on offer, along with fabulous product launches and other company news by subscribing to our newsletter! We always include a gluten-free Sponge of the Week option, as well as a vegan one, so everyone can take advantage of these delicious discounts.
Sponges have three asexual methods of reproduction: after fragmentation, by budding, and by producing gemmules. Fragments of sponges may be detached by currents or waves. They use the mobility of their pinacocytes and choanocytes and reshaping of the mesohyl to re-attach themselves to a suitable surface and then rebuild themselves as small but functional sponges over the course of several days. The same capabilities enable sponges that have been squeezed through a fine cloth to regenerate. [44] A sponge fragment can only regenerate if it contains both collencytes to produce mesohyl and archeocytes to produce all the other cell types. [34] A very few species reproduce by budding. [45] The single-celled choanoflagellates resemble the choanocyte cells of sponges which are used to drive their water flow systems and capture most of their food. This along with phylogenetic studies of ribosomal molecules have been used as morphological evidence to suggest sponges are the sister group to the rest of animals. [16] No one likes a heavy, dense sponge, so it's imperative that you incorporate and retain as much air as possible throughout the sponge making process. There are several ways to do this; McClenachan L (2008). "Social conflict, Over-fishing and Disease in the Florida Sponge Fishery, 1849–1939". In Starkey DJ, Holm P, Barnard M (eds.). Oceans Past: Management Insights from the History of Marine Animal Populations. Earthscan. pp.25–27. ISBN 978-1-84407-527-0. Regardless of these differences, sponges are important inhabitants of coral reef ecosystems. A diverse sponge population can affect water quality on the reef as the sponges filter water, collect bacteria, and process carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. In nutrient-depleted coral reefs, some sponge species are thought to make carbon biologically available by excreting a form of “sponge poop” that other organisms feed on, thereby fueling productivity throughout the ecosystem. In this way, sponges protect the reef against extreme fluctuations in nutrient density, temperature, and light, benefiting the survival of other reef organisms.Vacelet J, Duport E (2004). "Prey capture and digestion in the carnivorous sponge Asbestopluma hypogea (Porifera: Demospongiae)". Zoomorphology. 123 (4): 179–190. doi: 10.1007/s00435-004-0100-0. S2CID 24484610. A few species release fertilized eggs into the water, but most retain the eggs until they hatch. There are four types of larvae, but all are balls of cells with an outer layer of cells whose flagellae or cilia enable the larvae to move. After swimming for a few days the larvae sink and crawl until they find a place to settle. Most of the cells transform into archeocytes and then into the types appropriate for their locations in a miniature adult sponge. [49]
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