Why in the News?
• Scientists from Bose Institute studied freshwater sponges from the Sundarban delta
• Identified their potential role as bioindicators of toxic metal pollution
About Freshwater Sponges
• Among the earliest multicellular eukaryotes
• Play a key role in maintaining aquatic ecosystem health
• Found in clean streams, lakes, rivers, and estuarine systems
• Grow on sturdy submerged objects
• Are filter feeders, filtering large volumes of water
• Obtain food from water flow through the body and symbiotic algae
Physical Features
• Often appear green in colour
• Green colour due to symbiotic algae living within sponge tissues
Reproduction
• Sexual reproduction
• Asexual reproduction by fragmentation
• Formation of gemmules
Tiny, resistant reproductive bodies
Can survive unfavourable conditions
Germinate later to form new sponges
Ecological Role and Significance
• Act as bioindicators of water quality
• Absorb toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium
• Useful in monitoring pollution levels in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems
• Show potential for bioremediation of polluted water bodies
| Which one of the following is a filter feeder? (2021)
(a) Catfish (b) Octopus (c) Oyster (d) Pelican |
