Phylum Porifera (Pori = Pores: feron = bearing): Members of the phylum Porifera are also called sponges. Characteristic features of the phylum:
1. Habitat: They are aquatic, mostly marine but few species are found in fresh water.
2. Forms: They are sedentary animals (attached to substratum or rock).
3. Body shape: They have asymmetrical body. Body of these animals consists of many cells with minimal division of labour among cells. Hence, their body is considered as a colony of different types of cells.
4. Body surface: Their body bears minute pores called ‘ostia’ through which water enters the spongocoel (body cavity). Water leaves the body through a large opening called ‘osculum’. Beating of flagella creates water current.
5. Circulation: Water is circulated in the body through the ‘canal system’. When the water enters the body of poriferans, cells absorb the food, exchange respiratory gases and release excretory products.
6. Digestive system: The body cavity of sponges (spongocoel) is lined by unique type of flagellated cells called choanocytes or collar cells for digestion.
7. Endoskeleton: The body of sponges consists of calcareous / siliceous spicules and proteinaceous ‘spongin fibres’.
8. Reproduction: Sponges reproduce asexually as well as sexually. Asexual reproduction takes place by fragmentation and gemmule formation. Sexual reproduction is by formation of gametes. Fertilization is internal and development is indirect through larval stage.
9. Sponges have great power of regeneration.
e.g. Scypha, Euspongia (Bath sponge), Euplectella (Venus’ flower basket).
Characteristics of members belonging to phylum Cnidaria:
1. Habitat: They are aquatic, mostly marine and few of them are fresh – water forms.
2. Forms: They are sessile or free swimming.
3. Cnidoblasts: Presence of cnidoblasts or stinging cells are present on the tentacles for anchorage, offence and defence.
4. Body Symmetry: They have radially symmetrical body.
5. Germ layer: They are diploblastic.
6. Body cavity: Cnidarians have a central cavity called coelenteron or gastrovascular cavity, which helps in digestion and circulation. They have blind-sac body plan i.e., single pore opening to the exterior in the digestive system.
7. Body form: Members of this phylum exhibit two body forms. The cylindrical form, known as polyp e.g. Hydra and the umbrella – like form (.Aurelia – jelly fish) is known as medusa.
8. Digestion: They have extracellular and intracellular digestion.
9. Reproduction: Cnidarians reproduce asexually and sexually.
Asexual reproduction takes place by budding and regeneration. Sexual reproduction takes place gamete formation. They exhibit metagenesis i.e. alternation of polypoid generation with medusoid generation. Polyps produce medusae asexually and medusae produce polyps sexually,
e.g. Obelia
e.g. Hydra, Aurelia (Jellyfish), Physalia (Portuguese man-of-war), Adamsia (Sea anemone), Diploria (Brain coral), Gorgonia (sea fan).
The members of this phylum are commonly known as comb jellies and sea walnuts. They are also known as acnidarians as they lack cnidoblasts. The phylum is considered as one of the minor phyla as it is represented by very few members.
Salient features of phylum Ctenophora:
1. Habitat: They are exclusively marine.
2. Forms: They are free swimming animals.
3. Germ layers: Members of this phylum are diploblastic.
4. Body Symmetry: They are radially symmetrical.
5. Body plan: The animals of this phylum show blind-sac body plan.
6. Body organization: They show tissue level organization.
7. Locomotion: It is earned out by eight rows of ciliated comb plates.
8. Bioluminescence: It is the characteristic feature of the members of this phylum.
9. Digestion: It is extracellular and intracellular.
10. Reproduction: Reproduction is sexual with indirect development.
11. Colloblasts: These sticky cells are used to capture prey, e.g. Pleurobrachia, Ctenoplana
