Evolution & Systematics
Sponges are recognised as the oldest living multicellular animal on the planet (Srivastava et. al 2010). Due to the loose aggregation of choanocyte cells around the water canal systems, sponges are believed to be the sister group of the unicellular animal Choanoflagellate (Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004). Porifera is split into two super phylums; Cellularia and Symplasma (Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004). Cellularia represents sponges that have cellular tissues and includes Calcarea and Demospongiae sponges (Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004). Haliclona spp. is recognised as part of the class Demospongiae (Soest 2012).
Phylum; Superphylum; Class of sponges (Adapted from Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004)
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