Phylum Cnidaria
General Description
Phylum Cnidaria is made up of jellyfish, anemones, coral and hydras.
There are around 9,000 species of Cnidarians.
The name is Greek for "stinging nettle."
One of the oldest Cnidarians was found in Australia. It was around 700 million years old.
Phylum Cnidaria is made up of jellyfish, anemones, coral and hydras.
There are around 9,000 species of Cnidarians.
The name is Greek for "stinging nettle."
One of the oldest Cnidarians was found in Australia. It was around 700 million years old.
Specific Information
There are two main types of body plans for Cnidarians. The first is a Medusa, like a jellyfish. The second is a Polyp, an upside down Medusa, like an anemone. The most notable of their body cells are the nematocytes and cnidocytes, or stinging cells. All Cnidarians have only one opening that is used for a mouth and an anus.
There are two main types of body plans for Cnidarians. The first is a Medusa, like a jellyfish. The second is a Polyp, an upside down Medusa, like an anemone. The most notable of their body cells are the nematocytes and cnidocytes, or stinging cells. All Cnidarians have only one opening that is used for a mouth and an anus.
Characteristics of Cnidarians
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Taxonomic Relationship Between Poriferans and Cnidarians
Similarities
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Differences
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Cnidarian Phylogenetic Tree
The Irukandji Jellyfish (Carukia barnesi)
- Class Cubozoa
- Very small, the biggest recorded was 35mm
- Very agile
- Deep waters; along reefs
- As it ages, it begins to eat vertebraes instead of invertebraes
- It releases egg and sperm into the ocean where fertilizatin occurs
- They have image forming eyes but no brain to process what they are seeing
- Because of their deadly venom, they can cause Irukandji syndrome