Spongilla
Common Name: Freshwater Sponge
Scientific Name: Spongilla
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Other Taxonomy: Order: Haplosclerida Family: Spongillidae Genus: Spongilla
Specimen #: 87
Circumstance: Observed in lab
Specimen Condition: Specimen was dead
Location: Alfred bio lab
Typical Habitat: Sponges of the genus Spongilla attach themselves to rocks and logs and filter the water for various small aquatic organisms such as protozoa,bacteria, and other free-floating pond life. Unlike marine sponges, fresh-water sponges are exposed to far more adverse and variable environmental conditions, and therefore they have developed gemmules as a means of dormancy. When exposed to excessively cold or otherwise harsh situations, the sponges form these gemmules, which are highly resistant "buds" that can live dormantly after the mother sponge has died. When conditions improve, the gemmules will "germinate" and a new sponge is born.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Sponges of the genus Spongilla attach themselves to rocks and logs and filter the water for various small aquatic organisms such as protozoa,bacteria, and other free-floating pond life. Unlike marine sponges, fresh-water sponges are exposed to far more adverse and variable environmental conditions, and therefore they have developed gemmules as a means of dormancy. When exposed to excessively cold or otherwise harsh situations, the sponges form these gemmules, which are highly resistant "buds" that can live dormantly after the mother sponge has died. When conditions improve, the gemmules will "germinate" and a new sponge is born.
Relationship with humans: no known relationship with humans
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spongilla
Scientific Name: Spongilla
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Other Taxonomy: Order: Haplosclerida Family: Spongillidae Genus: Spongilla
Specimen #: 87
Circumstance: Observed in lab
Specimen Condition: Specimen was dead
Location: Alfred bio lab
Typical Habitat: Sponges of the genus Spongilla attach themselves to rocks and logs and filter the water for various small aquatic organisms such as protozoa,bacteria, and other free-floating pond life. Unlike marine sponges, fresh-water sponges are exposed to far more adverse and variable environmental conditions, and therefore they have developed gemmules as a means of dormancy. When exposed to excessively cold or otherwise harsh situations, the sponges form these gemmules, which are highly resistant "buds" that can live dormantly after the mother sponge has died. When conditions improve, the gemmules will "germinate" and a new sponge is born.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Sponges of the genus Spongilla attach themselves to rocks and logs and filter the water for various small aquatic organisms such as protozoa,bacteria, and other free-floating pond life. Unlike marine sponges, fresh-water sponges are exposed to far more adverse and variable environmental conditions, and therefore they have developed gemmules as a means of dormancy. When exposed to excessively cold or otherwise harsh situations, the sponges form these gemmules, which are highly resistant "buds" that can live dormantly after the mother sponge has died. When conditions improve, the gemmules will "germinate" and a new sponge is born.
Relationship with humans: no known relationship with humans
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spongilla