Major Group: Porifera Order: Family: Spongillidae In Australia, freshwater species belong to a single family, Spongillidae. |
Descriptive Features:
sessile
colonial animals, forming a mat-like colonial structure
colony encrusting larger submerged
colonial body sponge-like
each individual without tentacles
individual body shape is irregular, dull coloured (grey, brownish or yellowish)
body consisting of a cavity surrounded by convoluted walls with many pores
flagella may be present
Size: encrustations can be very small to several metres across but less than 2 cm deep
|
|
Spongillidae colony as found in sample |
|
|
|
Spongillidae colony as found in river |
|
Taxonomic Checklist: Genera Ephydatia 2 species Eunapius 4 species Heteromeyenia stepanowii Dybowsky Heterorotula 5 species Pectispongilla botryoides Haswell Radiospongilla 8 species Spongilla alba Carter Stratospongilla lanei Racek Trochospongilla 2 species Umborotula bogorensis Weber
|
|
Distribution: Australia wide
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 4. Spongillidae can tolerate slightly saline waters.
Functional Feeding Group: filtering collectors
AUSRIVAS Taxacode: IA019999 |
|
Ovens River backwater, Peechelba Vic |
|
|
Ecology: Spongillidae species are found encrusting the underside or edges of submerged rocks and wood in littoral regions of clean ponds, lakes, slow flowing streams and rivers with stable substrata. Algae may grow on top of the colony giving it a green appearance. A colony consists of specialised cells performing different functions. Cells are grouped into loosely formed tissues around canals. The wall pores (ostia – in, oscula – out) allow water to pass through the animal for filter feeding. Sponges feed on bacteria, small organic particulate matter and detritus. Spongillidae undergo asexual reproduction by developing numerous gemmules (resting bodies). These are smaller than one millimetre, spherical, undifferentiated and resistant to adverse conditions. Gemmules are dispersed by aquatic birds. If broken into pieces, the sponge colony will continue to grow as separate colonies. Sexual reproduction is present in Northern Hemisphere sponges and may or may not be present in Australia. The individuals are hermaphrodites. Eggs develop into free swimming ciliated larvae. |
|
Information Sources: Hooper 2010, Williams 1980, Hawking & Smith 1997, Gooderham & Tsyrlin 2002 Key to Genera: Williams 1980 Key to Species: unknown |
|
|
|