CTENOPHORA: a small phylum of aquatic invertebrates that comprises the comb jellies
some live in brackish waters but the group is otherwise confined to marine habitats
carnivorous, except for one parasitic species
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Structure of Ctenophores
most are small but at least one species can grow to lengths of more than 1 metre
most are colourless, but some species can be pink or violet
have a statocyst at the aboral end of the body, and a mouth at the oral end
eight comb rows extend orally from the statocyst and serve as organs of locomotion
more primitive forms have a pair of long, retractable tentacles that capture food
the tentacles have adhesive cells called colloblasts which are unique to ctenophores
have a complex series of canals that make up the digestive tract, which also serves circulatory functions and is therefore known as the gastrovascular cavity
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Taxonomy and Diversity of Ctenophores
roughly 90 known species in two classes, with most being either spherical or oval
TENTECULATA: class of ctenophores that have a pair of long, feathery, contractile tentacles, which can be retracted into specialised ciliated sheaths
NUDA: class of ctenophores that do not have tentacles
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Reproduction, Development, and Lifecycle of Ctenop
adults of most species can regenerate tissues that are damaged or removed
hermaphroditic, with eggs and sperm produced in separate gonads along the meridional canals that house the comb rows
in some groups the larva closely resemble the adult, but in most there are cydippid larva
no metamorphosis
in at least some species, juvenile ctenophores are capable of producing small quantities of eggs and sperm while they are below adult size
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