Why is scyphozoan medusa called jellyfish?
The Scyphozoa are an exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria, referred to as the true jellyfish (or “true jellies”). The class name Scyphozoa comes from the Greek word skyphos (σκύφος), denoting a kind of drinking cup and alluding to the cup shape of the organism.
Are Scyphozoa harmful to humans?
Although Scyphozoa are considered relatively less harmful compared to Cubozoa and other cnidarians and life-threatening complications following scyphozoan stings are rare, these animals are still capable of inducing local and systemic reactions deserving medical attention.
What is Scyphozoa scientific name?
Scyphozoa
True jellyfishes/Scientific names
How do you identify a scyphozoa?
Scyphozoans share a number of attributes with other cnidarians: (1) they typically possess tentacles, (2) their symmetry is radial, (3) the body wall consists of an outer epidermis and inner gastrodermis, separated by a layer of jelly-like mesoglea, (4) the mouth is the only opening to the digestive system, (5) …
What are the characteristics of scyphozoa?
Scyphozoans exhibit the main characteristics of cnidarians. They have radial symmetry and are diploblastic, meaning that their body wall consists of the outer epidermis (ectoderm) and the inner gastrodermis (endoderm), which are separated by mesoglea. They have nematocysts, which are characteristic of the phylum.
How do Anthozoans eat?
Most Anthozoans are carnivores. Prey is captured with mucus or stingers (more about these stingers see cnidarians in general). Tentacles may push larger prey into the central mouth. The edges of the mouth may be inflated into ‘lips’ that pucker to hold prey as it is swallowed.
How do you identify scyphozoa?
How big is the mouth of a scyphomedusa?
A scyphomedusa locomotes by contracting and relaxing muscles of the bell. Contraction pushes water out, propelling the jelly in jet-like fashion. Surrounding the mouth of members of order Semaeostomeae are four oral arms that trail behind the bell and can reach a length of 40 meters.
Where can I find more information on Scyphozoa?
Scyphozoa – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). For more multimedia, look at Scyphozoa on Wikimedia Commons.
How did the Scyphozoa jellyfish get its name?
The Scyphozoa are an exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria, referred to as the true jellyfish (or “true jellies”). It may include the extinct fossil group the Conulariida, whose affinities are uncertain and widely debated. The class name Scyphozoa comes from the Greek word skyphos (σκύφος),…
What makes a Scyphozoa a nuisance to humans?
Coloration in some scyphozoans comes from the gonads or other internal structures. The bell of some is deeply pigmented. Scyphozoans can be a nuisance to humans when they wash up on beaches or if humans come in contact with them in the water. A sting from a jellyfish can be very unpleasant and may even cause death.