Phylum Porifera
Phylum Porifera includes organisms that lack specialized digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems. These organisms have a radial symmetry, do not possess a coelom, and do not show any segmentation. These organisms either have numerous tiny pores called ostia or larger pores called Oscula which are less in number. The function of these pores is to allow the circulation of water. The members of Phylum Porifera are non-motile and are fixed to a substratum.
Phylum Porifera
Phylum Porifera, also known as sponges, is a group of simple aquatic animals that lack true tissues and organs. Animals belonging to the Porifera phylum are the smallest multicellular creatures in the animal kingdom. ‘Porifera’ word is taken from Latin which means ‘pore-bearing species’. Around 5000 species are included in the phylum Porifera.
Table of Content
- Phylum Porifera
- Why The Name ‘Porifera’?
- Characteristics of Phylum Porifera
- Classification of Phylum Porifera
- Examples of Phylum Porifera