How does sponges defend itself? How does sponges move?

The majority of sponges are filter-feeders – they feed by straining food particles from water – like baleen whales and shellfish.

Tethya bergquistae, the pink golf ball sponge Amazingly, some even live in freshwater, including our own endemic freshwater sponge called Heterorotula kakahuensis. From intertidal rock pools to subtidal rocky reefs silty harbours to continental shelf seamounts volcanic ridges and hydrothermal vents, to the south’s deep abyssal plains. Some could be mistaken for colourful splashes of paint on rocks, while others have incredible structures more reminiscent of lace, seaweed, or fungi.

Sponges are the most common marine invertebrates around New Zealand’s coastline. 📷: Dan Sharp, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Tauranga

This example features Latrunculia procumbens, a sponge reminiscent of fungi. Sponges have very few predators, as most produce toxic chemicals and small splinters to defend themselves.An example of the image that accompanies each sponge description on the NIWA Splendid Sponges e-guides, including information on the species classification, taxonomic name and quick id icons. The sponge can control how quickly the water moves by beating tiny internal hairs known as flagella. Finger sponges are tall tubes, and water enters through tiny channels at the bottom and leaves through a larger hole at the top. Sponges survive entirely on the movement of water through their bodies, from which they capture plankton and bacteria to eat, and absorb oxygen to breathe. Sponge gardens also provide habitat and hunting grounds for a variety of other marine animals.

Groups of sponges form gardens which are a colourful and spectacular sight. Some sponges live on the sea floor, while others attach themselves to rocks with a special tissue that resembles tree roots. There is a wide diversity of different types of sponges around the world, and a number of different species in the Derwent estuary. Sponges are often confused with plants, but they are actually animals, but have no muscles, nerves or organs! Instead, they are made up of a combination of living cells and a stiff jelly-like substance known as ‘mesohyl’. Rocky reefs, kelp beds and inter-tidal zone Finger sponge Image: John Turnbull Community type

How does sponges defend itself? How does sponges move?