Porifera (Sponges)- Morphology, Classification, & Evolution- Invertebrate Paleontology | GEO GIRL

Porifera is a phylum of invertebrate animals which includes sponges. In this video, I go over Porifera anatomy, structure, morphology, spicule types, complexity (ascon, sycon, leucon), classification (classes- glass sponges, calcareous sponges, demosponges, stromatoporoids, archaeocyathids), reproduction, ecology, & reef evolution. Sponges have a lot of body parts, all of which I label and discuss in this video. I also discuss the distinction between common sponge spicule morphology which helps when determining the spong species in a particular fossil. I also go over the 3 major groups of sponge morphology, ascon, sycon, and leucon sponges. Ascon sponges are most simple, while leucon sponges are most morphological complex. I then go over each of the classes of sponges and the time range they lived in throughout Earth's history, then we move to sponge reproduction, which can occur either sexually or asexually. Sponges can also regenerate complete animals from broken fragments of a sponge, which is useful after strong storms. I then go through the entire evolutionary history of sponges through the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras. I close out the video by discussing the mysterious history of archeaocyathids and avenues for future research that may help us finally determine which phylum archeaochyathids should belong to. Hope you enjoy! ;)

References:
Prothero, D.R. (2013). Bringing Fossils to Life: An Introduction to Paleobiology. Third Edition. Chapter 13: Colonial Life: Sponges, Archaeocyathans, and Cnidarians. pp. 303-321. Columbia University Press. https://amzn.to/3kutMgs
https://www.studyandscore.com/studyma....
https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife...

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0:00 What are porifera?
1:21 Sponge anatomy
2:57 Sponge spicules
4:36 Sponge morphology (ascon, sycon, & leucon)
6:22 Sponge classification
8:12 Hexactinellid sponges (glass sponges)
8:51 Calcarea sponges
9:56 Demospongea sponges
10:37 Are stromatoporoids sponges?
13:38 Sponge reproduction
15:04 Sponge ecology
17:00 Sponge evolution
18:54 Are archaeocyathids sponges?
20:20 Archaeocyathan morphology
21:15 Archaeocyathan ecology

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Non-textbook books I recommend:
Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL
Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I
Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny
Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2
Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb
Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ
Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l
Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1Nhke

Tools I use as a geologist/teacher/student:
Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJf
Geology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MA
Geological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLu
Geological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5
Camera: https://amzn.to/3l6fGRT

Image sources:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~wstodd...
http://www.jsjgeology.net/Hicks-n-Row...
http://fitri-smanda.blogspot.com/2013...
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/S...
https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife...
https://www.hunebednieuwscafe.nl/2019...
https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife...
http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.p...
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100...
http://dico-sciences-animales.cirad.f...
https://www.mcqbiology.com/2012/10/mc...
https://woostergeologists.scotblogs.w...
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/1...
https://earthathome.org/hoe/us-fossil...
http://rjfisherjoanides.pbworks.com/w...
https://www.chegg.com/flashcards/spon...

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