freshwater sponge (Spongilla)
Spongilla species are found in clean lake waters and slow streams.
freshwater sponge
invertebrate
Also known as: Spongilla
freshwater sponge, any of about 20 species of the genus Spongilla (class Demospongiae, siliceous sponges), a common, widely occurring group. Spongilla species are found in clean lake waters and slow streams.
- Related Topics:
- siliceous sponge
Freshwater sponges are delicate in structure, growing as encrusting or branching masses. They usually appear greenish because of the algae that live on them. Freshwater sponges may attain a volume of more than 2,500 cubic centimetres (150 cubic inches). The larva of the spongillafly lives as a parasite on freshwater sponges.