Spongillida
Order of sponges
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spongillida is an order of sponges in the subclass Heteroscleromorpha, originally described as the suborder Spongillina.[1][2] Members of this order are exclusively freshwater animals, and all freshwater sponges are currently considered part of this order,[3] though the monophyly of this group has not yet been confirmed; it is currently unknown whether all freshwater sponges belong within a single natural group.[4][5][6]
Manconi & Pronzato, 2002[1]
| Spongillida | |
|---|---|
| |
| An individual of the type genus, Spongilla | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Subclass: | Heteroscleromorpha |
| Order: | Spongillida Manconi & Pronzato, 2002[1] |
| Families[2] | |
| |
The main method of identifying and classifying sponges rely on morphology and genetics; in freshwater sponges, morphological methods analyze skeletal architecture, forms of the spicules, and traits of the gemmules. Some species, especially those endemic to ancient lakes (such as rift lakes) have lost the ability to create gemmules, necessitating other identification methods.[4][1][7] Genetic analysis is often relied upon due to lack of clarity surrounding diagnostic aspects of morphology.[8] Other than Arinosaster, all species of this order are currently placed within one of the seven families.[2]
Freshwater sponges are more speciose than other sessile freshwater invertebrates, such as bryozoans and cnidarians, despite the likely presence of undescribed taxa in some areas. They are found in all continents excluding Antarctica. Some families are thought to be endemic to certain hydrographic basins, such as Lubomirskiidae to Lake Baikal, and Metschnikowiidae to the Caspian Sea.[4] Metaniidae is thought to have a Gondwanan origin, though it is also present in Southeast Asia.[7]
Other than the ecosystem service of providing water filtration, freshwater sponges have been used by humans throughout history: people native to the Amazon cultivated these sponges using their gemmules, and utilized them as an ingredient to strengthen pottery. In 19th century Russia, sponges were used cosmetically as a blush and as a homeopathic remedy. Currently, freshwater sponges are being investigated for novel biomedical compounds,[4] with some studies showing their microbiomes may be potential reservoirs for such compounds.[9] Spicule fossils may also be useful as paleolimnological records.[10][11][12]
