Porifera

[ paw-rif-er-uh, poh-, puh- ]

noun

1. an animal phylum comprising the sponges.

Other Words From

• po·rifer·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Porifera¹

1835–45; < New Latin equivalent to Late Latin porus pore ² + -i- -i- + -fera, neuter plural of -ferus -ferous

Example Sentences

In a recent study published by the journal "Cell Biology," scientists describe finding a group of demosponges — the most diverse class in the phylum known as Porifera — in the Arctic Sea.

From Salon

After a delirious run, this tale of a little Porifera that could, directed by Tina Landau and designed within a blissful inch of its undersea life by David Zinn, squeezes itself all out.

From New York Times

Scientists debate when sponges, animals belonging to the phylum Porifera, first emerged.

From Science Magazine

Scientists recognize eight major phyla to describe most common animals: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata and Chordata.

From Scientific American

Regular sponges — most members of the phylum Porifera — exist in a grey zone somewhere between a colony and an individual.

From Scientific American