spongiae

1 definition found

spongiae - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Spongiae \Spon"gi*ae\ (sp[o^]n"j[i^]*[=e]), n. pl. [See
     Sponge.] (Zool.)
     The grand division of the animal kingdom which includes the
     sponges; -- called also Spongida, Spongiaria,
     Spongiozoa, and Porifera.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In the Spongiae, the soft sarcode of the body is
           usually supported by a skeleton consisting of horny
           fibers, or of siliceous or calcareous spicules. The
           common sponges contain larger and smaller cavities and
           canals, and numerous small ampullae which are lined
           with ciliated cells capable of taking in solid food.
           The outer surface usually has minute pores through
           which water enters, and large openings for its exit.
           Sponges produce eggs and spermatozoa, and the egg when
           fertilized undergoes segmentation to form a ciliated
           embryo.
           [1913 Webster]