Cnidaria- Major Classes
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Anthozoa
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(corals and
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anemones)
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About 6500 species
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No medusa stage
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Some hermaphroditic
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Thrive best in presence
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of symbionts-
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(usually heterotrophic
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dinomastigotes)
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Hydrozoa
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(hydras and man-of-war)
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About 3100 species
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Most medusae with
velum
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Many with small
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or absent medusa
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Polyps usually bud
daughter polyps
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Medusae reproduce
sexually
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Deep water gorgonians,
corals and encrusting sponge.
Obelia- Detail of the bell margin of a
Hydrozoan medusa
(Margulis, Schwartz: 1998)