|
|
Article: Mineral skeletogenesis in sponges (1).
- Article from:
- Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Article date:
- February 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 NRC Research Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Abstract: Sponges secrete a variety of mineral skeletons consisting of calcite, aragonite, and (or) amorphous silica that confer strength and protect them from physical perturbations. Calcification takes place in a solution of bicarbonate and calcium ions, which is supersaturated with respect to both calcite and aragonite. In contrast, siliceous spicules are formed from an environment that is undersaturated with respect to silicon. Silification is the predominant process of biomineralization in extant sponges (92% of the species). The number of axes of symmetry in the large skeletal elements (megasclere spicules) is the main skeletal difference between the classes ...