Animal Profiles
Sponges

Sponge

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Sponges are animals that move water through their bodies. This account describes the boring sponge (Cliona celata), whose yellow forms occur on European coasts.

Cliona celata, the representative described in this account.

Cliona celata, the representative described in this account.

This photo has been taken by Matthieu Sontag (User:Mirgolth) and released under the licenses stated below. You are free to use it for any purpose as long as you credit me as author, Wikimedia Commons as site and follow the terms of the licenses. Could you be kind enough to leave me a message on this page to inform me about your use of this picture. · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Cliona celata occupies coastal habitats around western Europe.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Filter feeder
Food
Water passing through the sponge supplies suspended food.

Classification

Common name
Sponge
Browse group
Sponges
Scientific name or taxon
Not specified in the source index

Three things to know

  • It is an animal.
  • Some forms bore into shells or limestone.
  • Water flow supplies suspended food.

Habitat and range

Cliona celata occupies coastal habitats around western Europe. It may occur within calcareous material, including shells and limestone, or form larger exposed masses.

Appearance and adaptations

The boring form appears as small yellow openings in the material it inhabits. Larger forms make bright yellow, ridged or platelike growths, with distinct water-flow openings.

Diet and behaviour

Water passing through the sponge supplies suspended food. Boring into calcium-rich material changes shells and rock over time. These attached animals depend on flowing water rather than pursuing prey.

Sources

Explore sponges

Browse all sponges