The phylogeny of sponges has been debated heavily since the advent of phylogenetics. Originally thought to be the most basal animal phylum, there is now considerable evidence that Ctenophora may hold that title instead. Additionally, the monophyly of the phylum is now under question. Several studies have concluded that all other animals emerged from within the sponges, and usually recover that the calcareous sponges and Homoscleromorpha are closer to other animals than to demosponges. The internal relationships of Porifera have proven to be less uncertain. A close relationship of Homoscleromorpha and Calcarea has been recovered in nearly all studies, whether or not they support sponge or eumetazoan monophyly. The position of glass sponges is also fairly certain, with a majority of studies recovering them as the sister of the demosponges. Thus, the uncertainty at the base of the animal family tree is probably best represented by the below cladogram.
the phylogeny of sponges has been debated heavily since the advent of phylogenetics originally thought to be the most basal animal phylum there is now considerable evidence that ctenophora may hold that title instead additionally the monophyly of the phylum is now under question several studies have concluded that all other animals emerged from within the sponges and usually recover that the calcareous sponges and homoscleromorpha are closer to other animals than to demosponges the internal relationships of porifera have proven to be less uncertain a close relationship of homoscleromorpha and calcarea has been recovered in nearly all studies whether or not they support sponge or eumetazoan monophyly the position of glass sponges is also fairly certain with a majority of studies recovering them as the sister of the demosponges thus the uncertainty at the base of the animal family tree is probably best represented by the below cladogram