Zoology 250

Clades for Ctenophora and Cnidaria

KINGDOM ANIMALIA (modified from WWW Tree of Life; traits & tree after Ruppert & Barnes 1994 p. 1052). 


     ============================================= Porifera (sponges)
     |
<<=M=|         ================================================== TO CNIDARIA ===>
     |===E=====|
               |   =====C========================= Ctenophora (comb-jellies)
 M= METAZOA    ====|
 E= EUMETAZOA      =============================== Bilateria (all higher animals)
TRAITS SUPPORTING CLADE
(** plesiomorphic- a primitive state, not unique to clade):

C:
a) diploblastic**
b) blind gut**
c) giant compound cilia form comb rows
d) colloblast cells
e) pair of elongate tentacles in tentacle sheaths
f) biradial symmetry
g) multiciliated cells*

PHYLUM CNIDARIA (tree for classes from Ruppert & Barnes 1994) 


              ===3==== Hydrozoa (hydroids, siphonophores, hydrocorals, etc.)
        ==2===|
        |     ===4==== Cubozoa (sea wasps)
<<==1===|
        |     ===6==== Anthozoa (anemones, corals, gorgonians, etc.)
        ==5===|
              ===7==== Scyphozoa (jellyfish)
TRAITS SUPPORTING EACH CLADE
(** plesiomorphic- a primitive state, not unique to clade):
1:
a) epidermal cnidocytes w/ nematocysts
b) nematocyst w/ operculum
c) diploblastic** & radial symmetry**
2:
a) velum in medusa stage
b) stenotele nematocyst
c) simple bell margin without rhopalia in medusa stage**
d) simple gastrovascular cavity in polyp**
e) medusa by simple budding
f) simple manubrium in medusa stage
g) cnidocytes strictly epidermal**
3:
a) mesoglea lacks cells
b) gastrodermis lacks cnidocytes
c) gonads epidermal
4:
a) cuboidal swimming bell
b) complex 'eyes'
c) gastrodermal gonads
5:
a) mesoglea contains cells
b) gastrodermal cnidocytes in both polyp & medusa stage
c) gastrodermal gonads
d) septate gastrovascular cavity in polyp
6:
a) medusa stage absent
b) nematocysts lack operculum
c) tubular pharynx with siphonoglyph in polyp
7:
a) medusa stage dominant
b) large manubrium
c) notched bell margin with rhopalia
d) medusae produced by strobilation

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Copyright © 2000 by A. Richard Palmer. All rights reserved.
(revised Jan. 4, 2000)