Hydrozoa (Noun)
Meaning
Coelenterates typically having alternation of generations; hydroid phase is usually colonial giving rise to the medusoid phase by budding: hydras and jellyfishes.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The Hydrozoa is an ancient group that dates back to the Cambrian period and has a wide range of species, from the freshwater polyp Hydra to the marine medusa jellyfish.
- Members of the Hydrozoa have a unique life cycle, with both the polypoid and medusoid stages being involved in the reproductive process.
- The Hydrozoa class includes a diverse array of species, including the colonial siphonophores and the solitary hydroids.
- In the Hydrozoa, the polyp stage is usually the dominant phase, with the medusa stage being produced by budding or other asexual means.
- The Hydrozoa are characterized by their ability to alternate between the polypoid and medusoid stages, allowing them to adapt to different environments and ecological niches.