Phylogeny

This basic phylogenetic tree shows how Plakortis simplex is classified into its respective phylum of Porifera using morphological data .  It portrays the close relationship of sponges with the choanoflagellates and categorizes them under the animal kingdom.  The main purpose of this phylogenetic tree is to take note that P. simplex does not have true tissues or a fluid filled cavity known as a coelom.

 

This phylogenetic tree is much more in depth than the first one.  It uses biological systematics.  All of the shown genera and species belong to the class Demospongiae as well as the order Homoscleromorpha based on 28S rDNA analyses. 

For habitat information on P. simplex click here.