Phylum Ctenophora

Comb Jellies

1 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Phylum Ctenophora (Comb Bearers)

Defining Characteristics
Plates of fused cilia arranged in rows
Adhesive prey capturing cells (colloblasts)
Comb jellies are delicate, transparent,
non-stinging predators

2 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Ctenophora Structure
Similar in structure to
Cnidaria medusa

Poorly studied due to

fragile nature

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

4 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Apical Sense Organ

Apical sense organ

located on the
aboral surface
controls beating of
cilia
Statolith and
balancers

5 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Colloblasts

Stickyretractile tentacle
used to catch prey
Colloblast discharge an
adhesive thread which is
sticky to the touch
Some spp. lack tentacles
and the body is studded
with colloblasts

6 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Digestion
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

7 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Reproduction
Can rapidly regenerate
lost or damaged parts

Usually hermaphrodites
Developmental stage
Cydippid larva, this
develops into an adult

8 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Evolutionary history and
Bioluminescence

9 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Evolutionary History
Characteristic Ctenophores Cnidarians
Developmental Cydippid Planula
Stage
Digestive Gastrovascular Gastrovascular
System canals canals
Nematocysts None Present
Colloblast Present None
Sexuality Hermaphroditic Gonochoristic
Musculature Within Mesoglea Within
Gastrodermis
Ciliation Multiciliated cells Monociliated cells

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

11 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Order Lobata

Order Lobata
Posses long tentacles
throughout the lifecycle
Retractile in nature

12 Phylulm Ctenophora
 Order Beroida

Order Beroida
Lack tentacles, or oral lobes

Can consume prey

substantially larger than itself

13 Phylulm Ctenophora