MARVIN I.

DE LOS SANTOS ROSEBELLA MEDRANO KRISTLE LEVIA GARALDE

CHARMAINE GUDOY BEA JUICO BS Biology, II

ZOO 111 LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 2. PORIFERAN GENERAL TAXONOMY / CLASSIFICATION INTRODUCTION: The Phylum Porifera (derived from Greek word porus, pore and ferre, to bear) contains the simplest creatures of the animal kingdom comprising of approximately 5,000 species known. Sponges are aquatic-sessile organism which means, they are not able to move by themselves and they keep themselves attached to substrates, they do not have tissue diversity and their bodies have pores or ostia. They are mostly marine dwellers comprising of 98 percent of all living sponges and the rest are freshwater species. Sponges are mostly asymmetrical, but some are more or less radial. Division of labor exists among the cells, but each cell is still highly independent of other cells. Sponges are of three canal systems. The simplest and the most primitive of all the body plans are the Asconoid sponges, they are a sac or bag like structures where spongocoel, a central cavity is lined with choanocytes, flagellated collar cells. The more complex canal structures are the Syconoid sponges, there are folding of the body wall which occurs in various degrees and the spongocoel is reducedand the choanocytes are found in canals. Leuconoid as the most complex canal structure among sponges are relatively comprise of more folding on their body wall wherein, choanocytes are restricted to flagellated chambers. OBJECTIVE(S): To classify Poriferan groups into Calcarea, Demospongia and Hexactinellida by using the canal system, spicule types and external characteristics of the sponge body. METHODOLOGY: 1. Borrow a cross sectional slide of the Poriferan of different Classes (if available in the laboratory) and study their histology. Compare such with the samples by studying them under the dissecting microscope. Tabulate cytological or histological differences. Class Calcarea Tissue Characteristics Cytological Characteristics

Demospongea Hexactinellida 2. Collection of Specimen: Collect sponges of different types by cutting about 2 mm of the poriferan tissue and place them in labeled plastic bags. (This will be explained by the Instructor). 3. Determinationof Canal System: Each student will need 3 samples to study. The corresponding labels of the samples should be recorded for classification purposes. Categorize them according to (A) type of water canal system (Asconoid, Leuconoid, Syconoid) as based on the arrangement and complexity of the folds and chambers as observed under the dissecting microscope; (B) coloration (bright, dull, brown, etc); (C) epidermal texture ( rough, spiny, smooth, nodular, etc). Tabulate data. Class Calcarea Demospongea Hexatinellida Canal System Coloration Epidermal Texture

4. Spicule Separation: a. Place each sample into a test tube with 8% acetic acid. After 1 minute of removal of the organic components of the choanoderm, place a sample in a slide and observe it using the LPO of a compound microscope. Identify the type of spicule ( monoaxon, triaxon, bi radiate, triradiate, etc), in each sample. Illustrate the spicule type and tabulate types according to Classes of Porifera. Calcareous sponges have greater density of simple calcium carbonate spicules while Demospongea possess more complex spicule types arranged in a proteinous matrix. The Hexactinellids possess siliceous type of spicules. b. Bleaching of spicules: Small fragments of sponge tissue from both the surface and the deeper parts of the choanoderm layer are placed in an Erlenmayer flask or directly on the glass slide. A small amount (1 or 2 drops) of sodium hypochlorite(5%-10%) or hydrochloric acid(5%10%) or nitric acid(5%-10%) is added to the fragments for a few seconds (30 sec) until most of the organic components are dissolved thus leaving only the mineral skeleton. The bleached spicules will then be diluted and eventually washed out and replaced firstly with water and then ethanol. If bleach is not completely removed, the preparation will become crystalline. The preparation is aspirated and pipetted in a glass slide while the ethanol is allowed to evaporate. It is important to note that during each stage of pipette wash the suspension should be left to settle in the glass slide for 10 15 minutes prior to decanting of the supernatant to avoid accidental decanting of smaller spicules.

c. All characteristics of the Porifera should be properly illustrated or documented.

DATA and OBSERVATION: A. PORIFERAN 1

Figure 1: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 2: Spicules of the poriferan sample A.

Poriferan Sample 1 Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification B. PORIFERAN 2 Monoaxonal Tylote (having circular in both ends) Cross over Calcium carbonate Class Calcarea Salugan, Currimao Reddish-orange Rough with somewhat spiny Physically small Syconoid Formation of bubbles

Figure 3: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 4: Spicules of the poriferan sample B.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification C. PORIFERAN 3

Poriferan Sample 2 Poblacion, Currimao Dirty Brown Spiny Massive size Leuconoid Somewhat small formation of bubbles Monoaxonal Tylote (having circular in both ends) Cross-over Silicon Dioxide Demospongiae

Figure 5: A sample sponge, taken from

Habitat

Poriferan Sample 3 Poblacion, Currimao

Figure 6: Spicules of the poriferan sample C.

Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification D. PORIFERAN 4

Light Blue Spinny-Rough Physically small Syconoid Formation of Bubbles (slow) Monoaxial Oxea Branching in cross over manner Calcium Carbonate Calcarea

Figure 7: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 8: Spicules of the poriferan sample D.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification E. PORIFERAN 5

Poriferan Sample 4 Poblacion, Currimao Grayish brown Rough Physically small Syconoid Formation of Bubbles (slow) Monoaxial Tylostyle Cross over Calcium Carbonate Calcarea

Figure 9: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 10: Spicules of the poriferan sample E.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules/Skeleton a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification F. PORIFERAN 6

Poriferan Sample 5 Salugan, Currimao Light Orange Rough Small but massively growing Leuconoid Small formation of bubbles Spongin Fiber and Monoaxial Spicule Subtylostyle Spicule Spicules embedded in the Spongin fibers Spongin Fiber with Siliceous spicules Demospongiae

Figure 11: A sample sponge, taken from

Habitat

Poriferan SampleFigure 12: Spicules of the poriferan sample F. 6 Salugan, Currimao

Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification G. PORIFERAN 7

Light Brown Smooth Massive size Leuconoid Small bubbles are formed Monoaxial Tylostyle Cross over Silicon Dioxide Demospongiae

Figure 13: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 14: Spicules of the poriferan sample G.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification H. PORIFERAN 8

Poriferan Sample 7 Poblacion, Currimao Brown Spiny Massive size Leuconoid Small formation of bubbles Monoaxial Elongated Oxea Parallel Silicon Dioxide Demospongiae

Figure 15: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 16: Spicules of the poriferan sample H.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification I. PORIFERAN 9

Poriferan Sample 8 Poblacion, Currimao Violet (Somewhat Lavender) Rough Small in size Leuconoid Small formation of bubbles Monoaxial Elongated Oxea Parallel Silicon Dioxide Demospongiae

Figure 17: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 18: Spicules of the poriferan sample I.

Poriferan Sample 9

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification J. PORIFERAN 10

Poblacion, Currimao Light Brown (with some cream color pigmentation) Rough Massive size Leuconoid Formation of bubbles Monoaxial Oxea Cross over Carbon Carbonate Demospongiea

Figure 19: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 20: Spicules of the poriferan sample J.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification K. PORIFERAN 11:

Poriferan Sample 10 Salugan, Currimao Brown Rough Slightly big Syconoid Formation of bubbles Monoaxial Tylote Scattered Calcim Carbonate Calcarea

Figure 21: A sample sponge, taken from

Figure 22: Spicules of the poriferan sample K.

Habitat Coloration Epidermal Texture Size Canal System Reaction w/ HCl Spicules a. Type b. Style c. Arrangement d. Composition Txonomical Identification

Poriferan Sample 11 Salugan, Currimao Light Brown Rough Slightly big Leuconoid Formation of bubbles Spicule with spongin fiber Toxa Spicules emdedded in spongin Silicon Dioxide Demospongiea

DISCUSSIONS: 1. Describe the canal system and relate it to the water pumping/filtering efficiency of specific sponge you identified. Answer: The option of canal system identification in the sponges we classify revolves only in syconoid and leuconiod. In syconoid canal system, water enters through the dermal pores (ostia) into the canals, formed by the folding of the body wall of the sponge. The complexity of the folding gives a greater space and number for choanocytes, making it to have greater filtering activity, thus, they have a high feeding ability because more number of choanocytes will be working in getting food particles on the water. And in view of that, there will be a faster flow of water (current) because of the greater number of archeocytes that beats their flagella and therefore, the

efficiency of getting food is faster and better before the water goes out throught the central cavity. In Leuconoid system, which constitutes the most complex folding structure because the canal are being longer and more branch. And because they have many ostia, there would be a higher amount of water flow in the sponge and the filtering activity of the archeocytes are more efficient since, ther is no real central cavity. Therefore, the filtering efficiency of such sponges are more efficient compared to the two other canal system. Describe the Class of sponge you identified according to the type of spicules they possess. Answer: The class of sponge we identified according to their spicule types are Class Calcarea and Class Demospongiae. Calcareans, are sponges with spicules composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). They react with acids and dissolve in the the present of such in equivalent proportions. In Class Demospongiae, skeleton are made up of spicules which is composed of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), in either way, it is also composed of sponging fibers only, or a combination of two which partially or does not dissolve in the presence of acid,
2.

Explain why some Poriferan possesses bright pigmentation of their integument. Answer: The coloration of the pigments of the integument of the sponges is greatly affected by the natural habitat where they live. These pigments are often due to photosynthetic factors present in the sponge or bacterial symbionts among the poriferans and other microorganisms. The coloration is also significantly uncertain as a protection from solar radiation.
3.

How do Poriferans protect themselves from predators since these are sessile organisms? Answer: Poriferans would not have existed today if they can not protect or defend themselves. By nature, spicules, spiny or thorny structures are not only for body support, they have been an adaptive and protective mechanism to defense themselves from a possible predation or attack, they can cause itch to skin. Sponges can also close their pores to avoid the entrance of water into their bodies in the presence of stimulus that may mean danger to them. Often sponges are also capable able to emit a toxic substance into their environments as means of protection. The toxins released by the can also provide a solid shield of defense for the organisms within the symbiotic relationship.
4.

Describe general reproductive and developmental patterns in sponges. Answer:

Sponges can reproduce sexually or asexually. By sexual reproduction, choanocytes move into mesohyl and produce sperm. In some cases, sperm and oocytes are produced both by archaeocytes, thus sponges are said to be hermaphrodites. The sperm released into water and drawn into another sponge, the sperm then carried to egg by a choanocyte that becomes a carrier cell. After fertilization, flagellated larvae are produced and disperse into a habitat and settle down where to live. Asexually, it reproduces by means of bud, they are set free to take up a separate existence or remain attach to the parent sponge. Another way is by peculiar method of reproduction by the formation of gemmules. A number of cells in the middle layer of the body wall gather into a ball and become surrounded by a layer of cells which which secrete a shell reinforced by spicules. Gemmules are formed usually during the summer and autumn. Describe evolutionary characters which are present in Porifera as compared to Protozoa. Answer: The evolutionary characters present in porifera which is related to the protozoans are the existence of the flagellated choanocytes. This evolutionary evidence made believe that the phylogenic position of the poriferan are evolved from the protozoans
6.

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http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/demospongia.html http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/porskel.html http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/ http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Porifer a/Porifera_Key.html http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spongesiii.htm http://www.oceanlink.info/biodiversity/intertidal/intertidal.html http://web.geol.science.cmu.ac.th/ surapong/courseware/ Palaeontology/Ch4Porifera.pdf http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/porifera.html http://www.tolweb.org/Agaricomycetidae/20549 http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/porifera.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge http://paleo.cortland.edu/tutorial/Protista/porifera.htm