-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

-Demosponges (Class Demospongiae)

-Subclass Heteroscleromorpha

-Order Haplosclerida

Porifera, commonly known as sponges, are simple, aquatic animals. Sponges have a porous body, with numerous small openings (pores) that allow water to flow through. This water flow is crucial for feeding, respiration, and waste removal. Most sponges are marine, living in a variety of environments from shallow coastal waters to deep seas.