Body Structure

The body structure of this particular sponge appears to be of Syconoidal design. A Syconoidal body type is the interim design, between the basic open cavity plan (Ascoidal) and the labyrinth like cavity seen in more complex sponges(Leuconoidal). A Syconoid plan is characterised by a body plan with a main atrium cavity with several smaller in pockets and out pockets housing choanocyte chambers (Wheeler 2001)

A key characteristic of the Order Haploslerida (Niphate sp.'s Order) is the absence of inter choanocytes chamber canals. All canal in found in their body plans directly connects the main atrium to any given choanocyte chamber (Hooper 1997). This may be seen in the image below ,despite damage occurring to the slide 


Fig: Stained cross section of a Niphites sp. highlighting   Fig: Idealised Syconoid body plan
       individual cells.