The Classification and Evolution of Sponges and Starfish.

The Classification and Evolution of Sponges and Starfish By Abstract For the purpose of this research project the subjects shall be cushion starfish a member of Phylum Echinodermata and Mycale sponge a member of Phylum Porifera. Both are members of Kingdom Animalia and invertebrates. The relative ages of each are Pre-Cambrian and early Cambrian to Ordovician respectively. Commonalities in physical characteristics and ancestry are obvious and inferred. These inferences are substantiated by included data and …

…prominent Echinoderms. References Campbell, Reece, and Mitchell. (2002). Biology. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company Introduction to Porifera: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/porifera.html Porifera: http://hermes.mbl.edu/biologicalbulletin/eggcomp/pages/04.html Porifera: Systematics http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/poriferasy.html Wilson, H.V., 1937. Notes on the Cultivation and growth of sponges from reduction bodies dissociated cells, and larvae. In: Culture Methods for Invertebrate Animals, edit, by Galtsoff et al., Comstock, Ithaca, pp. 137-139