Yellow Sea Sponge Classification

Sponges are animals that grow in a variety of shapes and colors. With such rich diversity, virtually every species of sponge can be found in a yellow variety somewhere in the vast oceans. The term "yellow sponge" can therefore, refer to several different species of sponges, though many are quite similar.

  1. Calcareous Sponges

    • Sponges are most often classified based on their inner structure type. Calcareous sponges grow structures known as spicules (composed of calcium carbonated) that make up the sponge's skeleton. Calcareous sponges can grow in several shapes, but often take forms similar to that of coral. Calcareous sponges usually grow to about 10 cm in length.

    Demosponges

    • Demosponges also have a skeleton of spicules, however demosponges' spicules are composed of fibers produced by spongin. Demosponge species make up about 90 percent of undersea sponges. Demosponges' forms vary greatly, and are often red in color when alive. Despite this, it is the demosponge's yellow skeleton that is used as natural bath sponges and for sponge painting.

    Glass Sponges

    • Glass sponges are cup shaped and found mostly in deep regions of the oceans. Glass sponges have spicules composed of siliceous compounds. Glass sponges live the longest of any creature on Earth; they have been known to live for over 15 000 years. Glass sponges generate an electrical impulse and therefore react quicker than other sponges to external stimulus.

    Reef Building or Non-Reef Building

    • Glass sponges are often further classified based on whether they grow to form the basis of reefs. Non-reef-building glass sponges are much smaller than reef-building, growing to a height of 50 cm. Only reef-building species of glass sponges grow in shades of yellow, so if a glass sponge is yellow, it is definitely a reef-building sponge.