CLASSIFICATION OF CNIDARIA 35

PHYLUM CNIDARIA
Classification of Phylum Cnidaria
7. In the body there is an internal space for
The phylum Cnidaria is a diverse group digestion, the 'gastrovascular cavity',
with cosmopolitan distribution. It includes with the mouth as the only opening.
the familiar hydras, the transparent
8. They thrive on both intracellular and
fishes, the beautiful and bright colouredjelly

L
sea extracellular type of digestion.
anemones, a variety of
10,000 delightful aquatic
corals and about 9. The body wall composed of a special
species. The phy
lum Coelentarata Was established by type of cell called of 'Cnidocytes', con

A
Leuckart in 1847, which also included the taining stinging organelles called 'nema
sponges and ctenophores. In 1888, tocysts'.
Hatschek

P
splitted Leuckart's Coelernterata into 3 dis 10. They are acoelomates due to the absence
tinct phylum : Spongiaria (Porifera), of coelom.
Cnidaria and Coelenterata. 11. Respiratory, circulatory and excretory
The cnidarians are almost all mnarine and systems are absent; gas exchange is per
are either sessile or

K
free-swimming and occur formed by diffusion.
singly or in colonies. They are characterised 12. Nervous system is of primitive type

I
by the possession of radial symmetry (a
consisting of diffused network of unpo
primitive feature), two layers of cells, gut
cavity lined by endoderm, vibratile tentacles larized nerve cells.
arranged in one or more whorls around the 13. Reproduction is both asexual by bud

H
mouth and provided with nematocysts (the ding and sexual by ova and sperm.
stinging organ). They are the pioneer in the Development often involves an almost
bilaterally symmetrical, ciliated 'planula'

S
tissue grade of organisation.
larva.
Etymology
14. Life history commonly illustrates the
Cnidaria Greek: knide, nettle phenomena of metagenesis.

1.

2.

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Diagnostic features
All themembers are aquatic and with
the exemption of a few, are marine.
Body diploblastic i.e. composed of
two tissue layers, an outer epidermis
(ectoderm) and an inner gastrodermis
*
Scheme of classification
The classification of Cnidarians by
Parker and Haswell or as revised by Marshall
and Williams, 1972 (7th edn.), is very much
similar to that of Ruppert and Barnes (1994),
except that the later authors have introduced

K
(endoderm) with several to many cell
types and a less cellular mesoglea at the Phylum Class
centre.
3. Two different body forms may exist-a Hydrozoa
'medusa' (representing sexual phase) D
adapted for pelagic existence and a Scyphozoa
A
'polyp' (asexual phase) adapted for
benthic existence. R
Anthozoa
4. They exhibit radial symmetry.
A
5. Head and body segmentation absent.
Box 1.2: Classification of Phylum Cnidaria as in Text
6. Short and slender tentacles encircle the book of Zoology - Invertebrates" by Parkar &t
mouth in one or more whorls. Haswell (eds. Marshall & Williams, 1972).
 36
INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL ZOOLOGY
an additional class-Cubozoa,
soid cnidarians with bells. for the medu 5. Gonads are usually ectodermal in origin
or ifendodermal, gametes do not escape
The classificatory through the coelenteron and mouth.
this text is based on thescheme followed in
Ruppert and Barnes, 1994scheme Hydra (Fig. 1.32D), Obelia,
:
outlined by Examples
(6th Edn.) Millepora, Physalia (Fig. 1.32C), Valella (Fig.
Phylum Class 1.32A), Porpita (Fig. 1.32B).
Subclass
C Hydrozoa
:
CLASS Scyphozoa (Greek skyphos, cup)

L
N 1. Medusoid form is dominant in the life

D Scyphozoa cycle; polypoid form is very insignifi

A cant.

A
R Cubozoa Octocorallia/ 2. Mesoglea is cellular.
Alcyonaria 3. Some cnidocytes are endodermal.

P
A Anthozoa 4
The endodermal gastric tentacles are
Hexacorallia/ present.
Zoantharia 5
Systematic Resume Velum is absent.
CLASS 6. Gonads are endodermal.

K
Hydrozoa (Greek : hydro, water
serpant) Example : Aurelia (Fig. 1.38), Pilema,

I
[Link] are either exclusively Lucernaria, Pericolpa.
ploid or medusoid or constituted by poly CLASS Cubozoa (Greek : Cubo, cube)
forms in the life cycle. both
1. Medusoid cnidarians with bells.

H
2. Mesoglea acellular.
2. Body is distinctly flattened to form four
3. Chidocytes are confined to
the epidermal sides.

S
layer. Bell margin simple.
3.
4. Coelenteron is undivided and without
stomodaeum. 4. Presence of velum along the margin
of
the medusa.

U
sail crest of float float

KO A
tentaculozooids
gastrozooid
oral end
tentacle

hypostome
sub hypostomal
region

middle piece
budding zone
dactylozooid
aboral end
B bud
C basal disc
D
Fig. 1.32:A. Velella, B. Porpita, C. Physalia,
D. Hydra.
 CLASSIFICATION OF CNIDARIA 37

polyps expanded digitate

N polyps branches
or lobes

rachis
AL
lateral
branch
B
stalk -

D contracted

P
polyps
branches
Fig. 1.33 : Tripedalia.
pinnate tentacles
5. There are four tentacles or tentacle clus anthrocodia
ters at the four corners of

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the margin.
6. Body wall possess a
type of nematocyst

I
called stenotale.
Examples : Carybdea, Chiropsalmus, Chiro
nex, Tripedalia (Fig. 1.33).

H
CLASS ompletely
Anthozoa (Greek: anthos, flower) meshes retracted
1. Exist only in the polypoid form. stalk polyp

S
pedaldisc coenenchyme
2. Mesoglea cellular.
3. Some cnidocytes are endodermal.
Fig. 1.34 : A. Pennatula, B. Tubipora, C. Gorgonia, D.
Alcy

U
4. Stomodaeum strongly developed. noium, E. Corallium.
5. Extending between the stomodaeum and Telesto, Tubipora (organ-pipe coral) (Fig.
the body-wall there are mesenteries. 1.34B), Corallium (red coral) (Fig, 1.34E).

O
6. Gonads are endodermal. Subclass Hexacorallia
/Zoantharia
7. Memnbers are exclusively marine. 1. Polyps with more than eight tentacles
and septa, typically in cycles of 12.

K
Subclass Octocorallia/Alcyonaria
2. Tentacles are hollow and unbranched.
1. Polyp with eight tentacles and eight
3. Usually two siphonoglyphs are present.
septa (mesenteries).
2. Meenteries are complete. 4. Solitary or colonial.

3. Tentacles are pinnately branched. Examples : Sea-anemones (Adamsia,

Edwardsia, Metridium) (Fig. 1.35A), Fungia
4. Only one ventral siphonoglyph is pre (mushroom coral) (Fig. 1.35B), Astrea (star
sent. coral) (Pig. 1.35D), Antipathes, Meandrina
5. Almost entirely colonial, usually con (brain coral) (Fig. 1.35C).,
nected by coenenchyme. TYPESTUDY OF CNIDARIA–
Examples : Gorgonia (sea fan) (Pig.1.34C), OBELIA (SEA FUR)
Pennatula (Sea-pen) (Fig. 1.34A), Alcyonium a typical example of a marine,
Obelia is
(Dead-men's finger) (Fig. 1.34D), Helipora, colonial hydrozoan. Like most hydrozoans it