“Phylum Cnidaria”

A presentation compiled
from various sources by
Dr. PARVISH PANDYA,
Zoology Dept. Bhavan’s College, Andheri.

Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation

Sites from which presentations have been downloaded and later editted.
I am indeed thankful to them for their kindness and support :
http://esg-www.mit.edu:8001/esgbio/cb/org/organelles.html
http://faculty.pnc.edu/jcamp/parasit/parasit.html
http://www.amnh.org/rose/hope/creatinghope/
http://www.biology.eku.edu/SCHUSTER/bio%20141/POWERPOINT
%20NOTES/Intro%20to%20Protozoa_files/fullscreen.htm
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~zoology/eeob405/
http://www.tulane.edu/~wiser/protozoology/pwpt/
http://www.iep.water.ca.gov/suisun/photos/wildlife.html
http://www.uta.edu/biology/marshall/2343/
http://www.uta.edu/biology/faculty/faculty.html
http://www.okc.cc.ok.us/biologylabs/Documents/Zoology/PowerPoint.htm
http://bio.fsu.edu/
http://www.aw-bc.com/
http://www.nhm.org/
http://www.geo.cornell.edu/eas/education/course/descr/EAS302/presentations/

It is very easy to find mistakes in these presentations…..I request you to kindly

rectify them and supply me the modifications needed at parvishpandya@yahoo.com
Thanks a lot and have fun in teaching & learning Zoology….
Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation
 PHYLUM CNIDARIA

THE JELLYFISH, ANEMONES AND CORALS

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 Jellyfishes

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Sea Anemones

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Corals

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 Phylum Cnidaria

• Coelenterata or Radiata
• Differ from sponges - have rudimentary organs
• have primary radial symmetry (symmetry shown
in early development and carried throughout
life)
• the only other phylum that has radial symmetry
is Echinodermata- which has secondary radial
symmetry (ie. has bilateral symmetry in early
development and later switches to radial
symmetry Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation
 MORPHOLOGY

• The cnidarian body

wall has 3 basic layers
– Epidermis- outer layer
– Gastrodermis- lines the
gastrovascular cavity
– Mesoglea- between the
two tissue layers; it is a
non-cellular gelatinous
layer, not a tissue
Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation
 Two Basic Body Plans
• Polyp - Sessile Forms
• Medusa - Planktonic Forms
– Some species have only the polyp; a
large number of species go through
both stages in their life cycle
• Metagenesis- alternation of
generation

Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation

 Polyp
• Sessile - Polyp (hydranth or hydroid)
• Cylindrical stalk and oral end with tentacles
• Mesoglea is a thin layer

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 Medusa

• Free swimming -
Medusa
–Bell shaped
–Mesoglea
constitutes
bulk

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 5 CellTypes
• Epithelio-muscle cells
• Cover and protect
• Can contract (muscular
properties)
• Interstitial cells
• Production of gametes
• Mucous secreting cells
(Gland cells)- mucous for
attachment, feeding
• Nerve cells- irritability
• Cnidocytes- protection,
predation
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How Cnidocytes Work

• On Tentacles
• Defense, anchoring
and feeding
• Nematocyst
• Cnidocil - trigger

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Nervous System

• First time
• Nerve net
• 2 nets
– Associated with epidermis and
gastrodermis

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 Classification
• 3 Classes
• Hydrozoa
• Scyphozoa
• Anthozoa

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 Hydrozoa
• Polymorphic
• Polyp
• Medusa
• Simple gastrovascular
cavity - no septa
• No nematocysts in
digestive cavity
• Solitary or colonial

Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation

 Composition of Colonies
• 3 types of individuals
• Gastrozooid -
responsible for feeding
also numerous
Gonozooid - sexual
reproduction
Dactylozooids - defense
and food capture
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 Life Cycles

• 3 basic types
– Hydra - only polyp
– Asexual reproduction - budding
– Obelia - both polyp and medusa
stage
– Physalia - Colony attached to float
called Pneumatophore

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Life Cycle of Hydra

SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION

ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
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Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation
 Physalia Life Cycle
• Colony attached to a float -
pneumatophore
• Individuals attached to traililng tentacles; may
be up to 9 meters long
• Reproduces sexually
– Produces planula larva
– Turns into medusa
– Comes to surface and pneumatophore is
formed and then reproduces asexually for
form colony.
Dr. Parvish Pandya’s compilation
 Scyphozoa
(true jellyfish)

• Exclusively marine
• Medusa dominant stage

•Much larger in size compared to

hydrozoan medusae
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 Rock Anemones

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