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Phylum Ctenophora may not be as familiar to you as jellyfish or coral, but they are one of the most mesmerizing animals in the ocean. Ctenophora, meaning "comb-bearers," are exclusively marine animals that inhabit anywhere from coastal surface waters to the deep sea. They are known for their 8 rows of beating cilia that refract light, creating iridescent rainbows, and are the largest animals that swim using cilia. Although they appear harmless, they are active predators and capture prey using specialized sticky cells, playing an essential role in regulating populations of plankton. Ctenophores can provide valuable insights into early animal evolution.
Defining Characteristics
Defining Characteristics
Radial symmetry and a gelatinous, transparent body
No true polyp stage
Diploblastic
Endoderm
Ectoderm
Contain 8 rows of ciliary combs that beat in waves
Carnivorous, consuming large numbers of plankton and fish larvae
Their long tentacles are aligned with sticky cells that are called colloblasts
Complete gut tract with mouth and anal pores that allow food to pass through the body
Statocyst
A sensory organ used for balance and orientation
Reproductive Adapations
Reproductive Adapations
Sexual Reproduction
Hermaphroditic
external fertilization of egg occurs, and embryos develop into free-swimming larvae, allowing them to disperse
They continue to grow and develop into their adult form
Where are they found?
Where are they found?
They are found all over the ocean, present in coastal waters and the deep sea, but are most abundant in surface waters where most plankton are found
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