Phylum Ctenophora (Noun)
Meaning
Comb jellies; sea acorns; a small phylum formerly considered a class of Coelenterata.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The phylum Ctenophora is composed of small, aquatic animals known as comb jellies or sea acorns, most of which are gelatinous and balloon-like.
- Comb jellies are the principal animals within the phylum Ctenophora and can be often found floating in the water column.
- The characteristics of ctenophores highlight their distinctiveness within the animal kingdom, leading scientists to establish them as a separate phylum, phylum Ctenophora.
- Some researchers believe that the early origin of phylum Ctenophora might date back to before other multicellular animals.
- Historically, the ctenophores formed the class Ctenophora within the phylum Coelenterata but are now classified as their own small phylum, the phylum Ctenophora.