Phylum Ctenophora
Phylum Ctenophora. (Comb Jellies) Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Ctenophora Class: Tentaculata, Nuda. General Information. Over 100 different species Live in warm water and cold water all around the world They consume fish, larvae and plankton Usually travel in groups or swarms. Anatomy.
Phylum Ctenophora
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Phylum Ctenophora (Comb Jellies) Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Ctenophora Class: Tentaculata, Nuda
General Information • Over 100 different species • Live in warm water and cold water all around the world • They consume fish, larvae and plankton • Usually travel in groups or swarms
Anatomy • Round, dome shaped bodies • Sizes range from a few millimeters to a few meters long • Have 8 rows of ciliary combs (little hair projections all along the body)
Anatomy Continued… • Ctenophores have no brain or central nervous system • They have a nerve net that is located around the mouth and is thickest near important organs like the comb rows, pharynx, and the tentacles (if present)
Reproduction • Most adults can regenerate tissue that is damaged or removed • Almost all species are hermaphroditic (male and female) • Most species lay eggs
Eating and Excretion • Prey is swallowed, and then broken down by enzymes. • Muscle contractions move nutrients through the body and expels waste. • Has anal pores to remove waste, but most unwanted waste is thrown up.
Tentaculata • Long, contractile tentacles • Most are luminescent • Tentacles have rows of cilia, that make up the ciliary combs
Examples of Tentaculata • Sea Gooseberries: 4 inches long • Venus’ Girdle: Ribbon like tentacles up to 3 feet long (tropical water) Sea Gooseberries Venus’ Girdle
Nuda • No Tentacles • Made of an outer epidermis and an inner gastro-dermis (where food is digested) • Large oral cavity that allows them to swallow prey • Feeds on soft bodied swimming animals • Has ciliary combs but no tentacles
Nuda Examples • Mnemiopsis leidyi: 3-5 inches and bell shaped • Beroe gracilis: 30mm and cylindrical shape Beroe gracilis Mnemiopsis leidyi