phylum diversity

• Sponge Classification?

  Calcarea (ascon/sycon/leucon): calcium carbonate spicules, all marine
• Sponge Classification?

  Hexactinellida: six-rayed siliceous (glass like/fiberglass) spicules covered by a syncytium (multicellular network), all marine
• Sponge Classification?

  Demospongiae (all leucon): silica spicules (common sponge)(often with spongin); marine and FW
• Sponge classification?

  Homoscleromorpha: possess pinacoderm with a basement membrane
• Hydrozoan Diversity?

  hydroida: mostly colonial polyps

  siphonophora: physalia

  Chondrophora: velella

  Trachelina: predominantly medusae

  Hydrocarolina: (hydrocorals, include fire corals)
• Anthozoan Diversity?

  Octocorallia (alcyonaria): eight tentacles and eight complete mesenteries

  Hexacorallia : mesenteries in multiples of six

  Actiniaria: sea anemones

  Scleractinia : "true corals" that often form reefs

  Ceriantharia: tube anemones