have stinging cells (a must to be a cnidarian) to capture prey have radial symmetry –central point...
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• 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
• 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