poriferologist

plural poriferologists

1. rareA biologist whose specialty is the study of poriferans (sponges of the phylum Porifera).

   Poriferologists generally agree that a sponge mass bounded by pinacocytes is an individual rather than a colony.

   1978, Monographs on oceanographic methodology, volume 5, Unesco

   2 more examples

   Besides Dr. Nigrelli the party included Dr. Martin F. Stempien, Jr., of the Aquarium staff, Dr. Gustavo Pulitzer, a marine ecologist and poriferologist of Portofino, Italy

   1964, Animal kingdom, volumes 67-68, New York Zoological Society

   The great variability in sponge morphology and the difficulty in precisely setting the limits of a sponge species have probably driven many potential poriferologists to frustration (and to other taxa) early in their careers.

   1990, Richard C. Brusca, Gary J. Brusca, Invertebrates