![]() ![]() The osculum, a prominent feature of sponges, is a chimney-like structure through which water exits the sponge. There are two types, motile which beat in co-ordinated waves and non-motile (or primary) cells which serve a sensory role in eukaryotes. This combination of simplicity of form and sophisticated reactive responses prompted a group of researchers, led by Sally Leys of the University of Alberta, to investigate the means of sensory function in these ancient Metazoans beginning with the discovery of cilia on all cells forming the epithelial lining of the osculum in the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri in a study recently published in BMC Evolutionary Biology.Ĭilia are slender, hair like structures that project from a larger cell body. One such interesting response among the demosponges (the largest class in the phylum Porifera, comprising 90% of all sponges) is an inflation/contraction response, or “sneeze”, as a coordinated response to stimuli. Sneezing sponges provide evidence of a new sensory organ in an ancient lineageīy Ciara Ni Dhubhghaill, Assistant Editor, BMC Seriesĭespite lacking nerves, muscles and a central nervous system, sponges ( Porifera) are capable of organizing behaviours in response to external stimuli. ![]()
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