Phylum: Porifera

Class: Demospongiae

 

Norwegian: horn - og kiselsvamper

 

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 8.03.2005 / 24 meters)

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This is the most diverse class of sponges, including more than 90 % of all known sponges. More than 220 species is identified in Norway, approximately 5000 species world wide. Demospongiae skeletons are composed of spongin fibers and/or siliceous spicules, in contrast to the calcareous sponges.