Branching Vase Sponge.
By: A'kia Riley
Facts About The Branching Vase Sponge .
Callyspongia vaginalis, known as the branching vase sponge is a demosponge. This species is frequently colonized by Parazoanthus parasiticus, a colonial anemone, and Ophiothrix suensonii, a brittle star. It feeds on plankton and detritus.
ScientificName : Callyspongia vaginalis
Genus : callyspongia
Rank : Species
Pictures .
Branching Vase Sponge
Branching Vase Sponge
Branching Vase Sponge
More Facts .
Branching Vase Sponge .
Domain : Callyspongia Vaginalis .
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Porifera
Class : Demospongiae
Order : Haplosclerida
Genus : Callyspongia
Species : C. Vaginalis
More Facts .
Most sponges feed on bacteria and organic matter by drawing water in through pores called ostia (singular: ostium), which are openings through which water comes into the body. Lining the channels in these pores are collar cells. The collars of these cells surround a hair-like structure called a flagellum. The flagella beat to create water currents. Most sponges feed on small organisms that come in with the water. There are also, a few species of carnivorous sponges that feed by using their spicules to capture prey such as small crustaceans .
Branching Vase Sponge .
The basic shape of this species is a cluster of long erect tubes, tapering only slightly. The tubes have a wide, thin-walled vent, and its outer walls are strongly conulose. The tubes show a considerable tendency to anastomose and this may lead eventually to hollow, fan shaped specimens. Tubes up to 25 cm high and 5 cm in diameter. Fan shaped forms up to 18 cm high, 21 cm in the widest expansion and up to 3 cm in thickness. Vents up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Conules about 3 mm high and 5 mm apart. Surface of outer walls smooth between the conules. The consistency is very spongy .