UNIQUE CHARACTERISTIC - MEDUSA AND POLYPS

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTIC

Unique characteristics of polyps.
a)  sessile polyps
    2 types of polys:
    -Reproductive polyp
    -Feeding polyp : equipped with tentacles
b) sessile larval stage that reproduces asexually; by budding

Unique characteristics of medusa.

a)   motile medusa
b) free swimming adult stage that reproduces sexually

• Body plan of a polyp/medusa : it has single opening leading to gastrovascular cavity which function as mouth(site of digestion) and anus (waste discharge)
• Surrounding the opening is a series of tentacles
• Tentacles have specialised stinging cells called cnidocytes/cnidoblast/nematocytes/nematoblast -Function: capture of prey and defence

                                                        medusa

Aurelia sp.

         

Cubozoa sp.

                                                       
                                   polyps

Obelia sp.

 

Actinia sp.