Callyspongia serpentina facts for kids

Callyspongia serpentina is a type of demosponge, which is a simple animal that lives in the ocean. It belongs to the family Callyspongiidae. You can find this specific sponge species living in the waters around Australia and New Zealand.

What is a Demosponge?

Demosponges are the largest group of sponges. They are very common and make up about 90% of all known sponge species. Sponges are some of the oldest animals on Earth. They are not plants, even though they might look like them!

How Sponges Live

Sponges are amazing filter feeders. This means they get their food by filtering water through their bodies. They have tiny pores, or holes, all over their surface. Water flows into these pores and through a system of canals inside the sponge.

• Tiny cells called choanocytes (or collar cells) line these canals.
• These cells have small, whip-like tails called flagella.
• The flagella beat constantly, creating a current that pulls water through the sponge.
• As water passes, the choanocytes capture tiny bits of food, like bacteria and plankton.
• Clean water then leaves the sponge through larger openings called oscula.

This filtering process helps keep the ocean water clean. It's like the sponge is a natural water purifier!

Sponge Structure

Unlike most animals, sponges do not have true organs, muscles, or a nervous system. They are made of different types of cells that work together. Their bodies are supported by a skeleton made of a flexible material called spongin, or tiny hard structures called spicules, or both.

• Spongin: This is a soft, fibrous protein. It makes the sponge flexible and somewhat squishy.
• Spicules: These are tiny, needle-like structures made of calcium carbonate or silica. They give the sponge support and can be sharp, helping to protect it from predators.

The type of skeleton a sponge has helps scientists classify it. Demosponges like Callyspongia serpentina usually have skeletons made of spongin, spicules, or a mix of both.

Where Callyspongia serpentina Lives

Callyspongia serpentina is found in the coastal waters of Australia and New Zealand. These areas are known for their diverse marine life. Sponges typically attach themselves to hard surfaces on the seafloor.

• They can be found on rocks.
• They might grow on coral reefs.
• Sometimes they attach to shells or other underwater structures.

Sponges are important members of marine ecosystems. They provide shelter for small marine animals and are a food source for some creatures.

Discovery and Naming

Callyspongia serpentina was first described by a scientist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1814. Scientists give every living thing a unique two-part name, like Callyspongia serpentina. This helps scientists around the world know exactly which species they are talking about. The first part of the name, Callyspongia, is the genus, and the second part, serpentina, is the specific species name.