Marine Phyla Pages -- Coastal Carolina University
CTENOPHORA
Ctenophora
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| Beroe cucumis | Cubozoan – Carybdea alata | |
Defining Characteristics 1 2
Ctenophores have eight "comb rows" of fused cilia arranged along the sides of the animal. Ctenophores are fairly simple animals that live only in marine waters; they can be found in most marine habitats, from polar to tropical, inshore to offshore, and from near the surface to the very deep ocean. There are probably about 100-150 species of ctenophores throughout the world's ocean, although most of these are poorly known.
Feeding 1
Ctenophores, variously known as comb jellies, sea gooseberries, sea walnuts, or Venus's girdles, are voracious predators. Unlike cnidarians, with which they share several superficial similarities, they lack stinging cells. Instead, in order to capture prey, ctenophores possess sticky cells called colloblasts. In a few species, special cilia in the mouth are used for biting gelatinous prey.
Locomotion 1
Ctenophores move with the aid of cilia that beat synchronously and propel them through the water. Some species move with a flapping motion of their lobes or undulations of the body. Many ctenophores have two long tentacles, but some lack tentacles completely.
Although most ctenophores swim, one group creeps along the bottom of the seas. Most of these species live on other animals, for instance with echinoderms, sponges, or benthic cnidarians.
Other Information 3
All ctenophores are bioluminescent. The function of bioluminescence is unclear but it is believed it may be involved in mate recognition, prey attraction and defense.
Ctenophora Links
1. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/ctenophora.html
2.. http://faculty.washington.edu/cemills/Ctenophores.html
3. http://www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/nature/Hudson_river/CombJelly.html