Transcript Have stinging cells

• Have stinging cells (a must to be a
cnidarian) to capture prey
• Have radial symmetry
–Central point
• Soft Corals, Hard Corals, Sea Fans,
Hydra, Jellyfish, Sea Anemones
• Create coral reefs at growths of ½ inch
per year
• Deposit skeleton of calcium carbonate
(limestone)
• Photosynthetic and symbiotic
dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) live within
coral structure and provide energy to
growing coral.
• Toxins in nematocysts are quite
potent
• Of the 9,000 to 10,000 cnidarians,
only a handful pose a threat to
humans
• In most cases, nematocysts are
not strong enough to penetrate
skin
Organ Pipe Coral
Sea Surface Temperature
Changes
Stomach
Mouth
• Distinct floats that allow
wind to push them
through the water
• Sting can be life
threatening
• Tentacles exceed 40
meters (131 ft) in length
• Lives in tentacles of
Man-of-War jellyfish
much like a clownfish
lives in an anemone
• Immune to sting
• Use jellyfish for
protection in open
ocean
• Most dangerous to
humans
• Potent toxin can kill
an adult human
within minutes
– Cause paralysis
and lyse blood
cells
• Fortunately, rare in
most parts of world