One of two special issues of Advances in Marine Biology focusing on sponge science, it features comprehensive reviews of the latest studies that are advancing our understanding of the fascinating marine phylum Porifera. The selected contributors are internationally renowned researchers in their respective fields and provide a thorough overview of the state-of-the-art of sponge science. This volume will become a reference to marine biologists with interest in benthic ecology and biotic interactions, including symbiosis; chemical and molecular ecology; systematics, phylogeny, and evolution; sponge culture and tissue engineering