Porifera
(redirected from poriferans)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
Related to poriferans: Nematodes
Po·rif·er·a
(pō-rif'ĕr-ă),The sponges; a phylum of the Metazoa, comprising a group of sessile, aquatic animals possessing an endoskeleton and many branching canals, lined by flagellated collar cells; communication of the canals with the surface is made through many pores or through larger openings and oscula.
See also: Parazoa.
See also: Parazoa.
[L. porus, pore, + fero, to bear]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Porifera
(pŏ-rĭf′ĕ-ră) [NL. porus, opening + ferre, to bear]The phylum of sea sponges, some of which are toxic to humans.
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners
Porifera
see SPONGE.Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005