Sclerosponges
From Freepedia
| Sclerospongiae | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||
| ||||||
| Orders | ||||||
|
See text |
Sclerosponges (class Sclerospongiae) are sponges with a folded inner body. Because of their long life span (500-1000 yr.) it is thought that analysis of the aragonite skeletons of these sponges could extend data regarding ocean temperature, salinity, and other variables farther into the past than has been previously possible. Their dense skeletons are deposited in an organized chronological manner, in concentric layers or bands.
Sclerosponges were first recognized as a new classification of sponges in 1970 by W. D. Hartman, and T. F. Goreau 1.
Sclerosponges include the species Ceratoporella nicholsoni, Stromatospongia vermicola, Hispidopetra miniana, S. norae, Goreauiella auriculatra, and Merlia sp., which were described in detail by J.C. Lang, W. D. Hartman, and L. S. Land in 1975 2.
External References
- Notes of the Sclerosponge Workshop, Miami, FL, March 21-23, 1998
- List of reference works used in the Sclerosponge Workshop, Miami, FL, March 21-23, 1998 (offline reference works)
- High-resolution Sr/Ca records in sclerosponges calibrated to temperature in situ (PDF file)
