The Comparative Embryology of Sponges, 2010

One of the major questions in the evolution of animals is the transition from unicellular to multicellular organization, which resulted in the emergence of Metazoa through a hypothetical Urmetazoa. The Comparative Embryology of Sponges contains abundant original and literary data on comparative embryology and morphology of the Porifera (Sponges), a group of 'lower Metazoa'. On the basis of this material, original typization of the development of Sponges is given and the problems concerning origin and evolution of Porifera and their ontogenesis are discussed. A morphogenetic interpretation of the body plan development during embryogenesis, metamorphosis and asexual reproduction in Sponges is proposed. Special attention is given to the analysis of characteristic features of the ontogenesis in Porifera. The book pursues three primary goals: 1) generalization of all existing information on individual development of sponges, its classification and a statement according to taxonomical structure of Porifera; 2) revealing of heterogeneity of morphogenesis and peculiarities of ontogeneses in various clades of Porifera, and also their correlations with the organization, both adult sponges, and their larvae; 3) revealing homology of morphogeneses in both Porifera and Eumetazoa, testifying to the general evolutionary roots of multicellular animals, and peculiar features of sponges' morphogeneses and ontogenesis. This book will be of interest to embryologists, zoologists, morphologists and researchers in evolutionary biology.

Special Embryology of Sponges.- Development of Sponges from the Class Calcarea Bowerbank, 1864.- Development of Sponges from the Class Hexactinellida Schmidt, 1870.- Development of sponges from the class Demospongiae Sollas, 1885.- Development of Homoscleromorpha of the Order Homosclerophorida Dendy, 1905.- Theoretical aspects of sponge embryology.- Typization of Sponge Development and Its Significance for Phylogeny.- Comparative Analysis of Individual Development in Sponges.- Evolution and Individual Development of Sponges: Regularities and Directions.- In Place of Conclusion: Bauplan and Phylotypic Stage in Porifera.

First complete compilation of reproduction and development of all Porifera Gives first typization of sponges’ development and discusses the problems concerning origin and evolution of Porifera and their ontogenesis Focusses on the analysis of characteristic features of the ontogenesis in Porifera Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras