Ctenophores |
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| Home | Cnidarians | Ctenophores | Bioluminescence | References and Acknowledgments |
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Morphology & Behavior Ctenophores are small gelatinous invertebrates that at first glance appear to be a tiny Cnidarian, but they aren't. They do have radial symmetry, but they lack the cnidocytes that give Cnidarians their name. In fact you can pick them up with out worrying about getting stung! Ctenophores are considered to be a minor phylum consisting of only about 100 species. Unique to this group are their 8 comb paddles that consist of cilia. These specialized paddles allow for their movement and also create an iridescent glow by refracting light. Ctenophores can be found easily in the Puget Sound by using a high powered water proof light and placing it off the dock in the water. Generally you will see tons of other organisms first before you see the small gelatinous bodies of the Ctenophores, but eventually you will see them drifting near the light. This method is called light trapping, it allows you to see many organisms you wouldn't normally see during the day. |
To see how Ctenophores use their sticky tentacles to feed and their ciliated comb plates to move click the links below: Up close video of cilia moving
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