Spongia officinalis

Spongia officinalis is a marine sponge species in the family Spongiidae, native to the Mediterranean Sea and nearby Atlantic waters. Its flexible skeleton of spongin fibers has made it a traditional bath sponge.

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Demospongiae: Demospongiae is the largest class of sponges, with skeletons made from spongin, siliceous spicules, or both. This class includes Spongia officinalis and distinguishes it from sponges with other skeletal compositions.
Sponge aquiferous system: The sponge aquiferous system is the network of pores, chambers, and canals that moves water through a sponge. This system brings food and oxygen into the body and carries wastes away.
Natural sponge: A natural sponge is the cleaned skeleton of a marine sponge, used for absorption and abrasion. Harvested Spongia officinalis skeletons are a traditional source of natural bath sponges.
Mediterranean Sea: The Mediterranean Sea is an inland sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. It is the main region associated with Spongia officinalis populations and historical harvest.
Spongiidae: Spongiidae is a family of demosponges whose skeletons are built mainly from spongin fibers. This is the family that contains Spongia officinalis.
Filter feeding: Filter feeding is a mode of nutrition in which organisms capture suspended particles from water or air. Spongia officinalis obtains food by filtering particles from passing seawater.
Sponge diving: Sponge diving is the collection of commercial sponges from the seabed by divers. Divers have gathered this species from Mediterranean grounds for commerce.
Aegean Sea: The Aegean Sea is a northeastern Mediterranean basin between Greece and Turkey. Its waters are among the Mediterranean habitats where commercial bath sponges occur.
Porifera: Porifera is the animal phylum comprising sponges, aquatic animals that filter water through porous bodies. The species belongs to this phylum, whose water-filtering body plan defines sponge biology.
Ostium: An ostium is a small opening through which water enters a sponge's body. Water enters this sponge through numerous microscopic ostia.