PHYLUM CNIDARIA  Cnidocytes – located at

the epidermis and

abundant in tentacles
Introduction
 Aka coelenterates (hydra, jellyfish,
corals, sea anemones)
 Lowest of eumetazoans
 Primitive member of Radiata (w/
ctenophore and echinoderms)
History
 Originally called zoophyta
 Became a phylum in 1847
Definition
*NOTE:
 Metazoans w/ tentacle
 Characterized as primarily radial, Nematocyst – most important part and found in
biradial or radio-bilateral symmetry most cnidarians; can be toxic (neurotoxic,
 Tentacle-bearing radiata with intrinsic myotoxic, hemolytic and necrotic)
nematocysts (Hyman)
Spirocyst – found in Anthozoans O.
General Morphology and Physiology Zoontharia; with thread bearing numerous fine
tubules that solubilize upon discharge to form an
 Form
adhesive net.
 Polyp – sessile in nature; has a
cylindrical body with mouth and Ptychocyst – found in Anthozoans O.
tentacles projecting upwards Ceriantharia; they release threads without
and a basal disc attached below spines and are adhesive.
 Medusa – bell-shaped,
umbrella-shaped, free = Cnidae are used only once and are released
swimming; concave side is from the cnidocyte and after discharge, new cells
downward form from interstitial cells
 Histology – Diploblastic  Mucus-secreting cells -
 Epidermis Found at the basal disc
 Epitheliomuscular region and mainly
cells – Columnar; with secrete mucus for
several basal extensions adhesion
parallel to the axis of  Sensory cells –
the body, each Elongated cells at right
extension containing a angles to the surface;
contractile myofibril; base giving rise to
has intermolecular neuron processes; distal
junctions. end terminating in a
 Interstitial cells – sphere or a sensory
round cells; can be bristle
found beneath or  Neurons – same in other
between higher metazoans.
epitheliomuscular cells.
  Mesoglea – thin noncellular  In medusae consisting of a
layer or a thick, fibrous jelly- central stomach and radiating
like, mucoid material with or canals joining a marginal canal
without wandering  Strictly carnivorous; prey is
amoebocytes. captured by paralyzing it w/
 Gastrodermis – not strictly cnidocytes
homologous to gut lining of  Excretion – involves the mouth only
bilateral animals  Nervous System
 Nutritive-muscle cells  A diffuse, synaptic, mostly non-
– similar to polarized nerve net which can
epitheliomuscular cells be divided into epidermal nerve
but monocilliated net/plexus.
 Enzymatic gland cells -  They are interconnected via
Wedge-shaped ciliated neurons in mesoglea; first to
cells with their tapered evolve in metazoans
ends facing the  The system is interconnected to
mesoglea. the muscular system to initiate
 Mucus-secreting gland generalized reaction
cells – abundant at the  Concentration of neurons in the
mouth mouth (cephalization); not
 Neurons – Fewer than functional
epidermis  They exhibit poor reflex actions
 Cnidocytes – only to localized stimuli; reflex still
present in scyphozoans occur
and athozoans  Nervous system exhibits
 Muscular System extreme autonomy (can move
 Longitudinal layer – base of even detached to the body)
epidermis  Double nerve net is common
 Circular layer – base of  Reproduction and Metagenesis
gastrodermis  Can be both sexual (egg &
 Locomotion – contraction of the two sperm)/asexual (budding &
muscle layers (movement of tentacles; fission)
bending in polyps; umbrellar contraction  Metagenesis – aka alteration of
in medusa) generation; reproduce asexually
 Respiration – diffusion through the body (in polyp) while the next
surface; aided by generation reproduce sexually
 Thin wall and tentacular (in medusae). Not all are
extensions; shifting of metagenic
gastrovascular contents by body
movements and the flagellar beat
of gastrodermis.
 Digestion
 In polyps, it takes the form of a
gastrodermal sac either simple
or subdivided by septa.
Taxonomy of Cnidaria
Cl. Hydrozoa - exhibit either polyp or medusae,
or both in their life cycle; gastrodermis lacks
cnidocytes; gonads are epidermal/gastrodermal
 Hydroid Polyp Morphology
 Exist in 2 forms
 Solitary (ex. Hydra)
 Colonial (most
hydrozoans; body layers
are continuous)
 General parts
 Base – pedal disc
(solitary);
stolon/rhizomes
(colonial); may form
branching and
anastomosing root-like
tangle (hydrorhiza)
 Stalk – Caulomes
(solitary); Hydrocaulus
(colonial)
*Note: Base and stalk are made up of living
hollow tubes (coenosarc); covered by chitinous
tube (perisarc/periderm) secreted by the
epidermis
 Hydranth - May be
elongated, cylindrical,
 Colony Formation
bottle-shaped or vase-
like structure with a  Hydrorhizal/Stolonal -
Polyps spring singly and
terminal mouth
surrounded by tentacles. irregularly from the
basal stolonal tangle.
*NOTE: The hydranth may be differentiated into  Sympodial - The first
an elongated distal part called proboscis, polyp does not elongate
manubrium or (in hydras) hypostome which but produces one or
bears the mouth, and an expanded basal more lateral polyps by
stomach or gastral region. The tentacles of the budding
hydranth may be in one, two or several circlets or  Monopodial - The first
absent. Its form may either be capitate which is polyp elongates and
short with a terminal knob packed with gives rise to secondary
nematocysts strewn all over. Tentacles may also polyps that may
be hollow or solid. A hydranth may be thecate elongate to produce
(ex. hydrotheca of Obelia and Campanularia) that more buds:
is the perisarc extends up to the basal or gastral  with terminal
region and covers it; or it may be athecate or hydranth.
naked.  with terminal
growing points.
*NOTE: sympodial/monopodial growth exhibits colony (uses
arborescent (tree-like) or pinnate (feather-like) nematocyst and
adhesive cells)
 Gonophore/Medusoid
– Either gives rises to
medusae (ex. Obelia)
or retained in colony as
gonophore (ex.
Hydractina); produce
gametes
 Gonozooid/Blastostyle
- Well-developed
polyps modified to bud-
of medusoids; a
Stolonal blastostyle is a
gonozooid that has lost
all vestiges of mouth
and tentacles
 Gonangium - A central
blastostyle surrounded
by gonotheca. (ex.
Obelia)

 Hydroid Medusae Morphology (smaller

than scyphomedusae)
 General parts:
Monopodial  Bell – upper surface is
exumbrella; lower
surface is subumbrella;
margin folds inward
forming velum
(craspedote)
 Tentacles - Usually
tetramerous or
otherwise; hang down
from the bell’s margin
and are loaded with
Sympodial nematocyts
 Manubrium – Tube-
 Polymorphism – a colony may like extension at center
consist of more than one kind of of subumbrellar surface;
individual; all colonies are at often lobed or frilled
least dimorphic and also possesses
 Gastrozooid/Trophozo nematocysts;
oid polyp – nutritive; corresponds to
captures and ingest hypostome of polyp
prey; can also defend  Stomach
the colony  Radial Canals -
 Dactylozooids – club- Typically four; extends
shaped; defends the
 from the stomach to the  Nervous System
periphery  Epidermal nerve ring
 Ring Canal - A circular above and below velum
canal at the ring of the and connects with fibers
bell where the radial (then throughout the
canals join body)
 Tentacular Bulb – A  Lower ring – pacemaker
welling at the junction  2 true sense organs
of the radial and ring  Ocelli -
canals photoreceptor
cells organized
into a flat disc
or pit
 Statocyst -
located between
the tentacles or
at the tentacular
bulb;
stimulation will
result to
inhibition of
muscular
contraction on
that side of the
bell;
vesicular/penda
nt clubs
 Muscular System
 Restricted to epidermal
layer and best  Reproduction and Life Cycle
developed at bell  Asexual Reproduction
margin (budding/fission)
 Contraction of muscle  polyps may give buds
result in rhythmic and split into two
pulsation that push  hydromedusae may bud
water out of off daughter medusae
subumbrella from the manubrium or
 The velum, which tentacular bulbs
actually reduces the  Regeneration
aperture of the bell,  Sexual Reproduction (egg &
assists in increasing the sperm)
force of water jet that  mainly the function of
propels the medusae the hydromedusae
 Locomotion
 If hydromedusae is
 Vertical: w/ 1 or 2 absent, polyp produces
pulsation gametes (came from
 Horizontal: depends on interstitial cell)
water current
 Polyps - Testes
 Buoyancy is achieved
may develop on
by differences in ion
the upper half
content
 of the body
(spermarium);
ovaries may
develop on the
lower two-
thirds of the
body
 Hydromedusae
- Gonads are
commonly
located beneath
the radial canals
in the epidermis
of the
subumbrella, or
in epidermis of
the manubrium
Cl. Hydrozoa stomach from which 4 gastric
pouches extend toward the
O. Anthomedusae - Skeletal covering, periphery; between these
when present, does not surround hydranth pouches is a septa each of
(athecate). Free medusae, which are tall and which possesses an opening
bell-shaped are often present. ex. G. Hydra called the subumbrellar funnel
to aid in water circulation; and
the septal margin which faces
O. Leptomedusae - hydranth the stomach bears the gastric
surrounded by a skeleton (thecate). Free filaments (source of
medusae are commonly absent, but when extracellular enzymes)
present, they are more or less flattened. ex. G. containing large numbers of
Obelia, G. Sertularia nematocyts and gland cells.
 In more advanced forms, the
gastric pouches and septa are
O. Siphonophora - pelagic hydrozoan present only in their larval
colonies of polypoid and medusoid individuals. stage. As adults, they possess a
Colonies with floats or large swimming bells. system of radial canals such as
Largely in warm seas. ex. G. Physalia in hydromedusae, but it is more
(Portuguese man-of-war) elaborate. The mouth leads into
the stomach through the
manubrium, and four
Cl. Scyphozoa - medusoid form (reproductive interradial gastric pouches
adult ); polypoid form (larval stage). These extend from the stomach. In the
medusae are acraspedote with marginal notches outer wall of each part are 3
in the bell which also contains sensory organs apertures arranged horizontally,
called rhopalia. Their mesoglea is cellular and the central hole leads into the
GVC bears endodermal tentacles/gastric interradial canal which divides
filaments and gonads. Canals, if not tetramerous, immediately into 3, and each
show a strong tendency towards a tetramerous division branches again; the
other two holes lead into
radial symmetry
adradial canals which extend
 Morphology to the periphery without
 Larger than hydromedusae branching; and the hole at the
 Bell margins are scalloped to junction of two gastric pouches
form lobes (lappets) leads into a perradial canal
 The manubrium is drawn out which also branch extensively
into 4 to 8 often frilly oral arms like the interradial canals. All of
which aid in prey capture and these radial canals join the ring
ingestion canal at the margin of the bell,
 Tentacles can be 4 to many, and although this may be absent in
some are absent (rhizostomes) some. The gastric filaments are
 Mesoglea contains wandering interradially located in the
amoebocyte from epidermis gastric pouch, and gonads are
 Digestive System – not all has located on the floor of the
gastrovascular canal; some are raptorial pouches.
and feed on small crustacean ; some are  Muscular System – same as
suspension feeders (Aurelia) hydromedusae
 In primitive forms, the  Locomotion
manubrium opens through the  Similar to hydromedusae
mouth and leads into a central
  Most move horizontally using
currents; some can swim
sideways with aboral end
forward
 Although acraspedote, has
velum-like flap that greatly
increase force of contraction
 Nervous System
 Nerve ending (Coronatae)
 Bell pulsation centered around
rhopalia
 Each rhopalium is covered by a
hood and bordered by small
specialized lappets. Rhopalium
can have any or all of the ff:
 Sensory pits - Two are
present, one at
exumbrellar side, the
other at the
subumbrellar side, but
both at the base of the Cl. Scyphozoa
rhopalium O. Semaestomeae - Scyphomedusae
 Statocysts - One per with bowl-shaped or saucer-shaped bells having
rhopalium and located scalloped margins. Manubrium divided into 4
at the tip with several oral arms. GVC with radial canals or channels
statoliths from central stomach to bell margin. Occur
 Ocelli – simple pits w/ throughout the oceans of the world, especially
pigments and along coasts. ex. G. Aurelia
photoreceptors or
complex eyes
O.Rhizostomae - Bell of medusa
lacking tentacles. Oral arms of manubrium,
branched and bearing deep fold into which food
is passed. Folds, or “secondary mouths” lead
into arm canals of manubrium, which pass into
stomach. Original mouth lost through fusion of
oral arms, except in Stomolophus. Mostly
tropical and subtropical shallow-water
scyphozoans. ex. G. Cassiopea, G. Mastigias

Cl. Cubozoa
O. Cubomedusae (Box Jellyfish)
Cl. Anthozoa - exclusively polypoid with cnidoblasts; all of which arise from
hexamerous, octomerous or polymerous interstitial cells. Nematocysts lack
biradial or radiobilateral symmetry, with the operculum unlike hydrozoa and
oral end expanded radially into an oral disc scyphozoa.
bearing hollow tentacles, with endodermal  Growth form – all are colonial w/ these
(gastrodermal) gonads and a cellular mesoglea, basic parts:
with a stomodaeum, usually provided with one  Skeleton – produced by
or more siphonoglyphs, and wide septa, some mesenchyme (calcareous
or all of which are fastened to the stomodaeum, spicules or gorgonin, tanned
projecting into the GVC from its wall and collagen)
thickened on their free edges into the septal  Coenenchyme (common flesh)
filaments. - gelatinous mesoglea which
may be greatly thickened; with
 Morphology
embedded colored calcareous
 Short and stout; oral end
spicules
flattened to a disc
 Solenia - Gastrodermal tubes
 GVC has septa/mesenteries that
embedded in the coenenchyma;
divides cavity to vertical
through these tubes that the
chambers
polyps communicate with each
 Stomodaeum/pharynx
other
(ectodermal origin); it hangs
 Anthocodia - oral ends of the
down from the mouth
polyps that are exposed to the
 The pharynx commonly bears
surface; only portions covered
one or more siphonoglyphs that
with epidermis which form a
are flagellated grooves that
layer over the coenenchyma.
direct water into the GVC
 Muscular System (not well developed)
SC. OCTOCORALLIA/ALYONARIA  epidermal layer - consists of
longitudinal fibers in the
 Morphology pinnules and tentacles extending
 Has 8 pinnate tentacles and 8 into the mouth, pharynx and
complete septa septa
 Each tentacle bears short  gastrodermal layer. consists of
horizontal projections termed longitudinal fibers, the retractor
pinnules muscles on the septa, and
 the pharynx is oval in cross- transverse fibers along the
section and bears at one tentacles, in some the GVC
(ventral) end a siphonoglyph or wall, and along the asulcal, or
sulcus both sides of the septa
 The octomerous radial  Nervous System
symmetry is therefore just  epidermal plexus - tentacles,
superficial, with the interior mouth and pharynx
showing clearly a bilateral  gastrodermal plexus – septa
arrangement of parts; hence, the
radio-bilateral symmetry
 Histology - mesoglea is now developed
into a mesenchyme with a gelatinous
matrix enclosing numerous stellate
amoebocytes which can become
scleroblasts to secrete calcareous
spicules, others deposit gorgonin (horny
material), while others may become
Sc. Octocorallia/Alcyonaria  Never octomerous: may be
hexamerous or based on a plan
O. Stolonifera - No coenenchymal
of 6, but is often otherwise
mass; polyps arising from a creeping mat or
stolon. Skeleton of calcareous tubes of separate  typical polyp form: with base,
or fused calcareous spicules, or horny external column, and mouth surrounded
cuticle Tropical and temperate oceans in shallow by tentacles (oral disc), skeleton
water. ex. G. Tubipora (organ-pipe coral) external
 base is commonly a pedal disc
but may also be rounded,
pointer &/or inserted into the
O. Gorgonacea - Horny or gorgonian substratum; the tentacles:
corals. Common tropical and subtropical  Arrangement - In a
octocorallian cnidarians having a largely single marginal circlet
upright, plantlike growth form and an axial or several circlets on the
skeleton of a horny organic material. Separate or disc, or in radiating
fused calcareous spicules may also be present. rows on the disc
ex. G. Gorgonia (sea fan)  Form - May be simple
and elongated or may
be branched or even
O. Alcyonacea - Soft corals. feathery (but never into
Coenenchyme forming a rubbery mass. Colony 8 parts except in one
may have a massive mushroom shape or an case)
encrusting growth form. Skeleton of separate  water current functions to
calcareous spicules. Largely tropical. ex. G. maintain hydrostatic skeleton
Alcyonium, G. Lobophyton, G. Sarcophyton, G. against which muscular system
Nephthya contract, and in gas exchange
through gastrodermal surface
 Septa – increase surface area of
O. Coenothecalia – G. Heliopora GVC
 Complete – from body
wall to pharynx
 Incomplete – does not
SC. HEXACORALLIA/ZOANTHARIA
reach the pharynx
 Morphology  Interseptal space may:
 Endocoel
 Exocoel
  Stomata may be present in the  Locomotion
upper region of the septa  slow gliding on pedal disc
through which the interseptal  crawling on the side of the
chambers communicate column
 Longitudinal retractor muscles  walking on tentacles
are born on one side of each  swimming. sometimes used to
septa escape from predators
 Septal length may be equal, or  peristaltic contractions which
some may be confined to the chage column diameter
oral end while others reach the  planktonic. ex. Minyas
aboral end.  Nervous System – w/ epidermal and
 central ridge/ gastric plexus
cnidoglandular band -  Growth Form
with nematocyts and  Solitary
gland cells that secrete  Colonial
digestive enzymes.
 lateral Sc. Hexacorallia/Zoantharia
ridges/flagellated O. Actinaria - sea anemones. Solitary
bands - with tall anthozoans with no skeleton, with septa in
flagellated cells for hexamerous cycles, and usually with two
creating water currents siphonoglyphs. ex. G. Metridium
 Muscular System (Often highly
developed)
 longitudinal epidermal - in
O. Scleractinia/Madreporaria - stony
tentacles, oral disc, pharynx and
corals. Mostly colonial anthozoans secreting a
columnar walls; primitive
heavy, external, calcareous skeleton. Polyps
 trasverse/circular gastrodermal -
lodged in cuplike depressions called corallites
in all of the above plus in the
calyx, the walls of which are called theca, and
septa
the basal plate or floor called columella, with
 longitudinal gastrodermal - in
vertical ridges called sclerosepta. Sclerosepta
the septa
arranged in hexamerous cycles. No
siphonoglyphs. With 2 forms of budding:
i. intratentacular. buds arise from oral discs of
existing polyps, ex. brain corals
ii. extratentacular. buds arise from bases of
existing polyps
Skeletal configuration are due in part to
the growth pattern of a colony and arrangement
of polyps in colony. Growth forms may be:
i. massive or foliacious
ii. hermatypic (reef-forming) or
ahermatypic (non-reef-forming)
ex. solitary: Fungia (mushroom corals)
colonial: G. Acropora (staghorn coral), G.
Meandrina (brain coral), G. Porites, G.
Pocillopora, G. Pavona, G. Galaxea, G. Favea.
 O. Antipatharia - black or thorny
corals. Gorgonian-like species with upright,
plantlike colonies. Polyps arranged around an
axial skeleton composed of a black, horny
material and bearing thorns. Largely in deep
water in tropics. ex. G. Antipathes