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

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