Ctenophora

7. Phylum Ctenophora

The Comb Jellies-be gentle & put them in a container to

see them, so you don’t hurt them

Information

• Zooplankton• All marine (no freshwater species)• Transparent, globe or egg shaped jellies• Similar to but are not considered jellyfish

Anatomy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7WT81ukHZE• Radial Symmetry• Up to a few cm (about 4 inches) long• 8 rows or bands of cilia combs that the jelly beats

together to help it move, flashing while it goes• Body is >95% water• Body is only 2 cells deep with an open center• No stingers

Feeding

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xkNPp6mzzI• Voracious predators (up to 10 x their weight/day) • Sticky tentacles called colloblasts help capture

zooplankton• Important predator of copepods and fish larvae• Delicious to sea turtles

Reproduction

• Hermaphrodites• External fertilization and development• Larvae are planktonic