![Picture](/uploads/2/3/4/3/23436654/1416245837.png)
Giant Barrel Sponge
Xestospongia muta
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demosponge
Order: Haplosclerida
Family: Halicionida
Due to it's size, it has been called the "redwood of the reef"
Location- Found in deeper oceanic waters subject to tidal currents where the Giant Barrel Sponge resides in the tropical, Caribbean coral reef communities
Description of habitat- Sponges that live in warmer waters it appear to thrive and are much greater in abundance. Sponges also tend to live in quiet waters to minimize any agitated sediment from clogging their pores.
Facts-
1) No definite symmetry
2)Has no nervous system
3) Are all filter feeders
Has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List.
These sponges have been affected by domestic and agricultural waste in the oceans and global warming. It is polluting their water.
Citations:
http://www.iucnredlist.org
http://eol.org/pages/338183/details
http://pioneerunion.ca.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=2739
Xestospongia muta
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demosponge
Order: Haplosclerida
Family: Halicionida
Due to it's size, it has been called the "redwood of the reef"
Location- Found in deeper oceanic waters subject to tidal currents where the Giant Barrel Sponge resides in the tropical, Caribbean coral reef communities
Description of habitat- Sponges that live in warmer waters it appear to thrive and are much greater in abundance. Sponges also tend to live in quiet waters to minimize any agitated sediment from clogging their pores.
Facts-
1) No definite symmetry
2)Has no nervous system
3) Are all filter feeders
Has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List.
These sponges have been affected by domestic and agricultural waste in the oceans and global warming. It is polluting their water.
Citations:
http://www.iucnredlist.org
http://eol.org/pages/338183/details
http://pioneerunion.ca.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=2739