characteristics of Calcarea
Answers
Answered by
2
The calcareous sponges of class Calcarea are members of the animal phylum Porifera, the cellular sponges. They are characterized by spicules made out of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite. While the spicules in most species have three points, in some species they have either two or four points.
Answered by
2
Answer:
Characteristics:
Calcareous sponges take a wide range of shapes, including irregular massive forms, vase-shaped bodies on a stalk or meshworks of thin tubes. A common feature is the supporting skeleton, made of calcareous, star shaped structures - or spicules. These usually have three points, but some species have two or four pointed spicules. Reproduction may be both sexual and asexual, by budding. The eggs hatch to free swimming larvae which attach themselves to the bottom after a few days.
Taxonomy:
The class of calcareous sponges, Calcarea, includes 400, strictly marine species. Although most species are found in tropical waters, there are approximately 10 species along the coast of Norway.
Similar questions