Phylum Ctenophora Comb Jellies 1 Phylulm Ctenophora Phylum

Phylum Ctenophora Comb Jellies 1 Phylulm Ctenophora

Phylum Ctenophora (Comb Bearers) l Defining Characteristics – – l 2 Plates of fused cilia arranged in rows Adhesive prey capturing cells (colloblasts) Comb jellies are delicate, transparent, non-stinging predators Phylulm Ctenophora

Ctenophora Structure 3 l Similar in structure to Cnidaria medusa l Poorly studied due to fragile nature Phylulm Ctenophora

Ctenophore Structure l l 4 Body surface has eight rows of comb-like paddles Comb paddle has thousands of cilia used to swim Phylulm Ctenophora

Apical Sense Organ l Apical sense organ located on the aboral surface controls beating of cilia – 5 Statolith and balancers Phylulm Ctenophora

Colloblasts l Sticky retractile tentacle used to catch prey – l 6 Colloblast discharge an adhesive thread which is sticky to the touch Some spp. lack tentacles and the body is studded with colloblasts Phylulm Ctenophora

Digestion l l l 7 Feed on plankton, other ctenophores and other Cnidarian jellies Gut extends through the entire body; mouth is at the oral end Anal pore is at the aboral end Phylulm Ctenophora

Reproduction l Can rapidly regenerate lost or damaged parts l Usually hermaphrodites Developmental stage l – 8 Cydippid larva, this develops into an adult Phylulm Ctenophora

Evolutionary history and Bioluminescence 9 Phylulm Ctenophora

Evolutionary History 10 Phylulm Ctenophora

Ctenophore diversity l Most species live in the open ocean and are not well studied – l Phylum Ctenophora – – 11 New studies use submersibles and divers to collect specimens, eliminating specimen destruction by fast towed nets Order Lobata Order Beroida Phylulm Ctenophora

Order Lobata l Order Lobata – – 12 Posses long tentacles throughout the lifecycle Retractile in nature Phylulm Ctenophora

Order Beroida l 13 Order Beroida – Lack tentacles, or oral lobes – Can consume prey substantially larger than itself Phylulm Ctenophora