Sponges
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Calcarea
Class: Hexactinellida
Class: Demospongia
References
Hexactinellida:
"Glass Sponges"
Facts:
Habitat:
Found at depth of 450 to 900 meters deep.
Found in caves or along the coast.
Live in saltwater.
Especially abundant in the Arctic.
Description:
Can range from 10 to 30 centimeters.
Glass sponges lack an epidermal covering and their skeletons are composed of spicules of silica.
Their spicules have a triaxonic and cubic symmetry.
Marine sponges with mineral skeletons composed of glass spicules.
Pale coloration.
Additonal Facts:
Can be used in pharmaceuticals.
They are commonly given as wedding gifts in Japan.
Considered close relatives to the Demosponge.
Notable Species:
Venus Flower Basket
Venus Flower Baskets provide homes for certain kinds of shrimp.
Hyalonema