Question

Horse sponge is a common name of
A) Euspongia
B) Hippospongia
C) Chalina
D) Spongilla

Answer 1

Hint: Sponges are members of the phylum Porifera. They are multicellular organisms, which are heterotrophic and carry out sexual reproduction. Typical characteristics are their porous bodies, totipotency of their cells, and the presence of a siliceous skeleton.

Complete answer:
Euspongia is one of the species of sponge known as the bath sponge. It has great commercial value as a sea sponge and is used in industries like ceramic for polishing, and in the painting industry to create textures on walls. It is not a horse sponge. Option A is incorrect.
Hippospongia, another species of bath sponge, is commonly called the Horse sponge. Hippospongia is much coarser than Euspongia, and traditionally was less preferred as a bath sponge. Both however have been largely replaced by plastic alternatives. Option B is the correct answer.
Chalina is also a member of the sponge family, but whereas Euspongia and Hippospongia are rounded in shape, chalina is elongated. It is also known as the finger sponge. Option C is not the correct answer.
Spongilla are freshwater members of the sponge family. They are found in still waters like lakes and slow flowing rivers. Unlike the bath sponges, silica spicules are found on their bodies. Option D is not the correct answer.

Hence the correct answer is OPTION(B)

Note: Bath Sponges have been harvested for centuries. Overfishing has greatly reduced their numbers. Most commercially available natural bath sponges are now farmed. Interestingly, overfishing in many coral reefs has led to increases in the population of local sponges, greatly damaging the reefs.