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The giant barrel sponge is an important member of the reef community. Sponges filter large amounts of water, and are a predominant link in benthic-pelagic coupling on reefs and they harbor diverse assemblages of bacteria that can take part in nitrification and carbon fixation. [19]
Xestospongia testudinaria is a species of barrel sponge in the family Petrosiidae. More commonly known as Giant Barrel Sponges, they have the basic structure of a typical sponge. Their body is made of a reticulation of cells aggregate on a siliceous scaffold composed of small spikes called spicules.
Pawlik behind a Caribbean giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, on which his research group has published extensively. Pawlik is a proponent of critical rationalism for the advancement of science; he discusses the concept in the courses he teaches [23] and has openly challenged the conclusions of other studies throughout his career.
Giant barrel sponges can live more than 2,000 years. The giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta is one of the longest-lived animals, with the largest specimens in the Caribbean estimated to be more than 2,300 years old. [68] The black coral Antipatharia in the Gulf of Mexico may live more than 2,000 years. [69]
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The term sponge derives from the Ancient Greek word σπόγγος spóngos. [9] The scientific name Porifera is a neuter plural of the Modern Latin term porifer, which comes from the roots porus meaning "pore, opening", and -fer meaning "bearing or carrying".
Many sponges have internal skeletons of spongin and/or spicules of calcium carbonate or silicon dioxide. All sponges are sessile aquatic animals. Although there are freshwater species, the great majority are marine (salt water) species, ranging from tidal zones to depths exceeding 8,800 m (5.5 mi).
Xestospongia bergquistia is a species of barrel sponge in the family Petrosiidae first described by Jane Fromont in 1991. [1] [2] The species epithet, bergquistia, honours the New Zealand sponge specialist, Patricia Bergquist. [2]