Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria)

Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria)

The coelenterates are aquatic invertebrates, which are simply organized animals having well-developed body tissue. Except for a few kinds adapted for existence in fresh waters, they are inhabitants of sea. A majority grows together as colonies, but solitary individuals occur also. The word coelenterate (coel, hollow; enteron, gut) was applied to the sponges and ctenophores, but sponges and ctenophores are recognized now as separate phyla. The Cnidaria is employed for coelenterates by some zoologists.

Chief characteristics of coelenterates are the following:

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The coelenterates of radial symmetry. The presence of two-layered body wall (ectoderm and endoderm), between them there is mesogloea. There is only one opening, which gives both entrance and exit. There are no respiratory or excretory organs and no central nervous system or circulatory system. There are tentacles around the mouth.

Life cycle of coelenterates

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There is an alternation of generation between two forms in the life cycle of coelenterates. Polyp form: it is soft, cylindrical body attached to the floor by the lower part, while the upper part has the mouth (osculum) surrounded by tentacles. This form reproduces a sexual. This form has the ability to build a hard skeleton. Medusa form: it is a planktonic form has an umbrella shape, and reproduces sexually.

Classification of coelenterates

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Coelenterates are classified on the basis of dominant form (polyp, medusa, or both), skeleton nature (external or internal), and life type (benthonic or planktonic) into three classes: Class: Hydrozoa. Class: Scyphozoa. Class: Anthozoa.

1. Class: Hydrozoa
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class characterized by the presence of non-divided cavity space, and the skeleton has a conical shape. This class ranges in age from Proterozoic to the Recent. 500 genera are recognized as fossils in this class.

2. Class: Scyphozoa
The

organisms of this class have only a medusa form, and according to this it secretes a hard skeleton. It ranges in age from late Proterozoic to the Recent. 90 genera are recognized as fossils in this class.

3. Class: Anthozoa.

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The organisms of this class have only a polyp form, and they are all marine animals. It ranges in age from Precambrian to the Recent. 2300 genera are recognized as fossils in this class. This class is subdivided into three sub-classes: Sub-class: Seriantipatharia. Sub-class: Octocorallia. Sub-class: Zoantharia. Sub-class Zoantharia are subdivided into four orders: Order: Tetracoralla (Rugosa). Order: Scleractinia. Order: Tabulata. Order: Schizocorallia.

Conularia sp

Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria). Class: Scyphozoa. Genus: Conularia. Age: Pennsylvanian.

Parasmilia sp

Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria). Class: Anthozoa. Subclass: Zoantharia. Order: Scleractinia. Genus: Parasmilia. Age: Lower Cretaceous. Description Parasmilia is a simple individual of Scleractinia, which has a conical shape.

Septastrea sp

Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria). Class: Anthozoa. Subclass: Zoantharia. Order: Scleractinia. Genus: Septastrea. Age: Miocene to Pliocene.

Syringopora sp

Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria). Class: Anthozoa. Subclass: Tabulata. Genus: Syringopora. Age: Permian. Description The coral in this genus is compound and the individuals have a tabular shape parallel to each other.

Hydra

Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Coelentrata or (Cnidaria). Class: Hydrozoa. Genus: Hydra.