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Fossil Sponges
Rocks and Geology Around Las Vegas
Fossil Sponges

Fossil Sponges.

Sponges are multicellular, aquatic animals in the phylum Porifera. Their general body plan is a tube, open at one end and closed at the other. The external wall has pores through which water is drawn into the body, then interior channels circulate water through their internal structures. Sponges filter food and absorb oxygen from the water, then expel the water and waste through the large opening at the end of the body.

Two basic kinds of sponges were common in the ancient seas that once covered the Las Vegas area: elongate sponges and spherical sponges. Both had multiple interior layers and appear in many sizes and shapes.

Sponges are common in the limestone mountains around Las Vegas. A good place to see them is along Fossil Canyon Trail in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Fossil Sponges
Elongate sponges exposed in broken limestone layers
Fossil Sponges
Elongate sponges exposed in broken limestone layers (close-up)
Fossil Sponges
Cross-section of spherical sponge exposed in limestone
Fossil Sponges
Cross-section of spherical sponge (close-up)
Fossil Sponges
Cross-section of spherical sponge (close-up)
Fossil Sponges
Details of spherical sponge core (close-up)
Fossil Sponges
Details of spherical sponge core showing pores
Fossil Sponges
Exterior rind of spherical sponge
Fossil Sponges
Textures of interior surface of the exterior rind of a spherical sponge
Fossil Sponges
Elongate sponge exposed in limestone
Fossil Sponges
Cross-section of elongate sponge showing interior layers
Fossil Sponges
Interior layers of elongate sponge
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Fossil Sponges
Sponge showing external siphon pores
Fossil Sponges
Sponge showing external siphon pores (close-up)
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Fossil Sponges
Rather large spherical sponge (wide-brimmed hat for scale)
Fossil Sponges
Rather large spherical sponge
Fossil Sponges
Interior details of rather large spherical sponge
Fossil Sponges
Cross-section of spherical sponge
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Fossil Sponges more to come

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240331

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