SYNOPTIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYLUM CNIDARIA

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PHYLUM CNIDARIA LINKS

The following information came from Margulis and Schwartz (1998), Buchsbaum (1938), Barnes (1980), Barnes (1984a), Brusca and Brusca (2003), Hickman (1973), Hinde (2001), Storer and Usinger (1965), Ruppert et al. (2004), Pechenik (2005), and Tudge (2000).

I. SYNONYMS: Coelenterates

II. NUMBER: >10,000 species known.

III. PHYLUM CHARACTERISTICS:
- A. Structure
  - Symmetry: Radial.
  - Body Cavity: Not present.
  - Body Covering: Epidermis.
  - Support: Hydrostatic “skeleton” some with external or internal skeletons of calcium carbonate or organic material.
  - Digestive System: Digestive or gastrovascular cavity open at one end. Animal is a carnivore. It captures animals with nematocysts on tentacles.
  - Circulatory System: None.
  - Locomotion: Medusoid adults swim by undulations of bell-like body. Hydroids and corals are sessile. Some with planula larvae that move by ciliated epithelium.
  - Excretory System: None.
  - Nervous System: Simple nerve net.
  - Endocrine System: None.
- B. Reproduction:
  - Reproductive System: Specialized gonads. Eggs and sperm are produced. Asexual reproduction occurs.
  - Development: Some with planktonic planula larvae.
- C. Ecology: Found mainly in marine environments. Some freshwater taxa.

LITERATURE CITED

Aleshin, V. V. and N. B. Petrov. 2002. Molecular evidence of regression in evolution of metazoa. Zh. Obshch. Biol. 63(3):195-208.

Barnes, R. D. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Wilson, Philadelphia.

Barnes. R. S. K. 1984a. Kingdom Animalia. IN: R. S. K. Barnes, ed. A Synoptic Classification of Living Organisms. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA. pp. 129-257.

Buchsbaum, R. 1938. Animals Without Backbones, An Introduction to the Invertebrates. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago.

Brusca, R. C. and G. J. Brusca. 2003. Invertebrates. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, Mass.

Collins, A.G., P. Cartwright, C.S. McFadden, and B. Schierwater. 2005. Phylogenetic context and basal metazoan model systems. Integrative and Comparative Biology. 45:585-594.

Darwin, Charles. 1842. The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs. Smith, Elder, and Co. London.
Hickman, C. P. 1973. Biology of the Invertebrates. The C. V. Mosby Company. Saint Louis.

Hinde, R. T. 2001. The Cnidaria and Ctenophora. In: Anderson, D.T., ed. Invertebrate zoology. Oxford University Press. Oxford, UK. pp. 29-57.

Margulis, L. and K. Schwartz. 1998. Five kingdoms, an illustrated guide to the phyla of life on earth. 3rd Edition. W. H. Freeman and Company. New York.

Martindale, M. Q., J. R. Finnerty, and J. Q. Henry. 2002. The Radiata and the evolutionary origins of the bilaterian body plan. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 24:358-365.

Pechenik, J. A. 2005. Biology of the Invertebrates. McGraw-Hill. New York.

Ruppert, E. E. and R. D. Barnes. 1994. Invertebrate Zoology. 6th edition. Saunders. Ft Worth, TX.

Schuchert, P. 1993. Trichoplax adhaerens (Phylum Placozoa) has cells that react with antibodies against the neuropeptide RFamide. Acta Zool. 74: 115–117.

Storer, T. I. and R. L. Usinger. 1965. General Zoology. 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York.

Tudge, C. 2000. The Variety of Life, A Survey and a Celebration of all the Creatures That Have Ever Lived. Oxford University Press. New York.

By Jack R. Holt and Carlos A. Iudica. Last revised: 01/27/2010

SYNOPTIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYLUM CNIDARIA

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