Class Hydrozoa
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Creatures in Class Hydrozoa have radial symmetry. The most common type of animal in this Class is Portuguese Man-o-War. The coolest thing about this creature is its not one organism; it is actually two different organisms. The floating gas filled container keeps it a float and is usually a pink/blue color. The other main part of it is the tentacles, also known as polyps. These tentacles are extremely dangerous and can grow up to 164 feet long. The relationship between these two creatures is so unique.
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Class Scyphozoa
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Class Scyphozoa has a variety of different jelly fishes in it. They have a rounded body and sometimes it is harder for them to move freely. Their bell can be as big four meters. Overall these animals provide a vast amount of jellyfishes in Phylum Cnidaria.
The creatures on the left are called polyps and they live on old dead coral. Eventually they will reproduce and become jellyfish. On the right are medusa also known as jellyfish. |
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The Difference Between a Polyp and Medusa
The differences between a polyp and medusa are minimal. They both have an oral and aboral side. On a polyp the top of it is the oral side and the bottom of it is the aboral side. On the medusa it is the opposite, the top of it is the aboral side and the bottom is the oral side. Something they both have in common is tentacles packed with nematocysts. Nematocysts are like tiny lassos that lash out when anything comes near the tentacles. When they shoot out and touch their prey they sting it. Over all, a polyp and a medusa have more in common then they appear.
Dangerous Jellyfish
The jellyfish below can be extremely dangerous and sometimes lethal to humans. They should always be avoided by humans.
Lion's Mane Jellyfish Irukandji Jellyfish Sea Wasp Box Jellyfish
Lion's Mane Jellyfish Irukandji Jellyfish Sea Wasp Box Jellyfish
Reproduction of Polyps and Medusa
Asexual
Polyps can both reproduce sexually and asexually. One of the most common ways of polyps reproducing is budding. Just like in sponges polyps can have a growth on their side that will eventually mature and detach it self. After those two stages the baby polyp will find a suitable place to live and will land down on the ocean floor. Another way polyp reproduce asexually is by releasing tiny medusae (plural for medusa) into the water. This happens by detaching the top of the polyp and simply turning it upside down. Either way you will get new life.
Sexual
Polyps can also reproduce sexually. They release eggs and sperms, that then get together and either make a medusa or another polyp, depending on what time egg and sperm they are. Medusa can only reproduce sexually. They also release egg and sperm into the water, that then get together and make a planula. A planula is larval stage in this reproduction process. Sooner or later the planula finds an appropriate place to live on the ocean floor and lands there. Clearly whether it be asexual or sexual the medusa and polyps ways of reproducing are captivating.
Polyps can both reproduce sexually and asexually. One of the most common ways of polyps reproducing is budding. Just like in sponges polyps can have a growth on their side that will eventually mature and detach it self. After those two stages the baby polyp will find a suitable place to live and will land down on the ocean floor. Another way polyp reproduce asexually is by releasing tiny medusae (plural for medusa) into the water. This happens by detaching the top of the polyp and simply turning it upside down. Either way you will get new life.
Sexual
Polyps can also reproduce sexually. They release eggs and sperms, that then get together and either make a medusa or another polyp, depending on what time egg and sperm they are. Medusa can only reproduce sexually. They also release egg and sperm into the water, that then get together and make a planula. A planula is larval stage in this reproduction process. Sooner or later the planula finds an appropriate place to live on the ocean floor and lands there. Clearly whether it be asexual or sexual the medusa and polyps ways of reproducing are captivating.
Class Anthozoa
Animals in Class Anthozoa are corals, and sea anemones.
Sea Anemones are very intriguing and complex. And as you can see they come in a variety of colors. Although they look nothing alike sea anemones are a coral. They are categorized under soft coral. |
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Corals are also extremely complex. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellaes. A symbiotic relationship means that they help each other out. Zooxanthellaes are part of the dinoflagellates family. Zooxanthellaes produce special compounds that the coral use for energy that then helps the coral make hard protective walls. Something fascinating about these creatures is the live on top of dead coral.
The coral reef on the right are the types of coral that use dead coral as there environment. Pictures on the left are corals that do not always grow on top of dead coral because they posses elongated skeletons. |
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