Description :

Sponges are a group of marine animals among the simplest in the animal kingdom, with around 10,000 species known. They have soft bodies perforated with numerous small holes, called pores, through which water flows. Their strategy is simply to filter the passing water to capture food particles. This requires neither complex structures nor coordinated movement. Sponges lack a nervous system and a digestive tract. Their bodies are made up of only two layers of cells (ectoderm and endoderm) and are supported by a skeleton made of either calcium carbonate or silica. Sponges are generally colorful, though some are white or gray. The most well-known sponge is the bath sponge, a calcareous species.

Habitat :

Sponges primarily inhabit shallow waters. Most are marine, but about fifty species live in freshwater. They are abundant in the Caribbean Sea and, although they are found in other parts of the world, they exhibit similar appearances and thrive in comparable environments.

Ecological Role :

Sponges can provide shelter for various commensal animals, which benefit from the food particles supplied by the host sponge.