| Xestospongia testudinaria | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Haplosclerida |
| Family: | Petrosiidae |
| Genus: | Xestospongia |
| Species: | X. testudinaria
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| Binomial name | |
| Xestospongia testudinaria Lamarck, 1815
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| Synonyms | |
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Xestospongia testudinaria is a species of barrel sponge in the family Petrosiidae. More commonly known as Giant Barrel Sponges, they have the basic structure of a typical sponge. Their body is made of a reticulation of cells aggregate on a siliceous scaffold composed of small spikes called spicules. Water is taken into the inner chamber of the sponge (known as the spongocoel) through ostia (small pores created by porocytes). Flagellated choanocytes line the inner chamber and help generate water currents through the sponge.
Due to the amount of water that Great Barrel Sponges filter throughout their lifespan, they perform an important ecological role.
- ^ van Soest, R. (2014). Van Soest RW, Boury-Esnault N, Hooper JN, Rützler K, de Voogd NJ, de Glasby BA, Hajdu E, Pisera AB, Manconi R, Schoenberg C, Janussen D, Tabachnick KR, Klautau M, Picton B, Kelly M, Vacelet J (eds.). "Xestospongia testudinaria (Lamarck, 1815)". World Porifera database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2010-07-30. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Xestospongia testudinaria (Lamarck, 1815)". Marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2010-07-30.