prohekm

Prohem is a genus of ancient sea sponges that lived during the Jurassic period. The name Prohem comes from the Greek words for "before" and "tomb", likely referring to the species' occurrence before other sponges in the fossil record.

Prohem fossils have been found in Europe, with preserved specimens from England, Norway, and Sweden. These ancient sponges were characterized by their hard, calcareous skeletons, which often included external features like ridges, furrows, and spicules.

Palaeontologists have identified two recognized species within the Prohem genus: Prohem triangulare and Prohem oscillor, with fossil evidence suggesting they were relatively small in size, likely under 100 millimeters in diameter.

The composition of Prohem skeletons is primarily calcite, with the addition of other minerals like quartz and feldspar in some cases. The skeletal structure includes both internal and external elements, suggesting the presence of organic tissue within the sponge's body.

The ecological role of Prohem in its ancient environment is thought to be similar to that of modern sponges. These organisms likely provided a habitat for other marine animals and helped filter nutrients from the water. Additionally, Prohem shared the landscape with other species, including various invertebrates, fish, and molluscs.

Further research into Prohem sedimentary environments is ongoing, with ongoing efforts to improve the understanding of marine ecosystems from the Jurassic period. Ongoing analysis includes studying the relationships between fossil Prohem species and contemporary faunal and sedimentary features.