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
 Reproduction
• Hermaphrodites
• External fertilization and development
• Larvae are planktonic