COMB JELLIES Marine Bio Period 2 Tayla Grayden

COMB JELLIES Marine Bio Period 2 Tayla Grayden Rene Idrovo

Table Of Contents • Comb Jellies Environment/Where are they found ? • Physical Features • Why is it important/Diet • Current Issues • Bibliography

Comb Jellies have Radial Symmetry Use their plates of Cilia (the combs) to swim Reproduces Sexually, occasionally asexual Lives in Marine Environments Body contains an internal cavity and mouth, anal pores • Has well developed sub epidermal net • Has a distinct planktonic larval stage • They don’t have stinging tentacles • • •

Comb Jellies (cont. ) • Although these organisms are called Jellyfish, they are actually not really connected too closely to true Jellyfish • Comb Jellies are classified as ctenophores, sharing many superficial characteristics with cnidarians, but not the main one of stinging tentacles. • Comb Jellies eat mainly microscopic plankton and zooplankton. • Comb jellies are also known to eat some young fish, larvae of other animals such as crabs, clams and oysters, copepods, worms, small crustaceans and even some species of the Cnidaria phylum.

Comb Jellies Environment, Where are they Found? • Comb Jellies are found in marine habitats. • Mostly cold arctic waters, warm tropical waters, seas of the pacific and Indian ocean. • They prefer salty water. • You can see them near shore or bays at night by using a flashlight.

Characteristics Physical Features Of The Organisms • Bell shaped with the lower margin of the oral lobes forming the rim of the mouth • Has 8 longitudinal rows or bands of cilia that can divide into 8 symmetrical shapes which gives its ability to move slowly through water • Size is usually between 100 -120 mm 3. 9 -4. 7 in. • Feel like wet jello, but quite slimy. • Mouth is positioned where the bell clapper might be. • Ctenophores are usually colorless and transparent • Some species have red, black, orange or golden pigmentation. • They have a rainbow effect on the surface of their bodies, even though they are not bioluminescent.

Current Issues • The Benthic zone is out of sight, out of mind, but what we send down eventually cycles back up into our lives. • Deep sea animals are part of a thriving ecosystem. Our trash and chemicals may harm them if we are careless with our waste. • Comb Jellies suffer from the poisons and pollutions of many man made wastes.

Bibliography http: //jellieszone. com/ctenophores. htm http: //www. earthlife. net/inverts/ctenophora. html