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The Mysterious Realm of Deep Sea Sponges

Sponges (Porifera) of the deep sea play a vital role in supporting communities of life.

2022-03-08 19:00:00 - Natural World Facts

With over 8,500 sponge species known to science, and colonising vast areas of the sea floor from the shallow intertidal zone to the continental slope and the abyssal plain of the deep, their success is extraordinary and their importance unparalleled.


They are ecosystem engineers. By building reefs and cycling nutrients, they form the foundation of many communities, and have been doing so for over 600 million years.


This is the wonderful world of sponges.


00:00 - Introduction to Sponges

01:35 - Anatomy of Sponges - The Basic Morphology

02:28 - Anatomy of Sponges - Boring and Encrusting Sponges

02:51 - Anatomy of Sponges - Erect Sponges

03:11 - Anatomy of Sponges - The Sclereocytes

03:52 - Anatomy of Sponges - The Archeocytes

04:13 - Anatomy of Sponges - The Choanocytes

04:45 - Role of Sponges - The Importance of Pumping

05:26 - Role of Sponges - Reef-builders

06:33 - Role of Sponges - The Sponge Crab Symbiosis

07:52 - Sponges of the Deep - The Sponge Gardens

09:09 - Sponges of the Deep - Carnivorous Sponges

10:16 - Sponges of the Deep - Benthic-Pelagic Coupling

11:03 - Sponges of the Deep - Calcareous Sponges

11:30 - Sponges of the Deep - Silaceous Sponges

12:06 - Sponges of the Deep - Life at the Vents

12:33 - Conclusion

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