Sponges (Porifera) and Anemones (Actiniaria)
Sponges (Porifera) and Anemones (Actiniaria) aren't as closely related as you might think. Sponges belong to the Phylum, Porifera, while Anemones are closely related to corals and jellyfish; falling into the same Phylum (Cnidaria.) They belong to the order, Actiniaria.
Both can be found clinging to hard surfaces in oceans around the world.
Sea Sponge and Sea Anemone Info:
Sponges actually possess no circulatory, digestive, or nervous system. Instead, constant water flowing through their bodies, collecting food and oxygen and removing waste is what they rely on. They are considered a sister group to all animals.
Sea Anemones are named after the flower called an Anemone. They are very colorful and typically up of a single polyp attached to a hard surface. They are armed with stinging cells called “cnidocytes.”
Both Sea Sponges and Anemones can be found in a variety of habitats in all oceans around the world. Both are typically found on hard, rocky surfaces.
Sponges are commonly found in clear, quiet waters.
Anemones are most diversely found in the tropics.
Sponges consume food by filtering food particles from the water that flows through them.
Anemones have the ability to consume crustaceans such as crabs, as well as molluscs and even some small fish.
Both are almost entirely immobile, but do have the ability to move very slowly across their bases.
Sea Anemones have the incredible ability to retract or extend their tentacles and change their shape drastically.
There are over 5,000 species of sponge and they are considered the last common ancestor of all animals, this makes them a sister group of all other animals.
There are more than 1,000 sea anemone species found throughout the world’s oceans.