Example of Phylum Ctenophora | Class Tentaculata and Class Nuda | Comb Jellies| Sea walnuts | Animal Kingdom

The ctenophora  are a small group of solitary, free swimming , marine, planktonic animals closely related to coelenterates. They are commonly called comb jellies.

Phylum ctenophora are grouped into two  classes: Tentaculata and Nuda

i) Class Tentaculata: They have long aboral tentacles.

Example of Class Tentaculata:

• Pleurobranchis (Sea gooseberry)
•  Ctenoplana
•  Cestrum (Venus girdle)

Pleurobranchis, commonly known as sea gooseberry, is a species of comb jelly found in the oceans worldwide. They are transparent and nearly colorless, and can grow up to 3 cm in diameter. Sea gooseberries have two long tentacles that they use for both movement and to capture prey. They are known to feed on small zooplankton, such as copepods and larval fish. 

Sea gooseberries are important members of marine ecosystems, as they help to regulate the populations of their prey.

Ctenoplana is a genus of small, flattened marine animals that belong to the phylum Ctenophora. They are commonly known as comb jellies or sea walnuts. Ctenoplana have a transparent, gelatinous body that is oval in shape and covered in rows of cilia, which they use for movement and to capture prey. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters and feed on small zooplankton. Ctenoplana are important members of marine ecosystems, as they help to regulate the populations of their prey.

Cestrum, commonly known as Venus girdle, is a species of comb jelly found in the Atlantic Ocean. They are transparent and nearly colorless, and can grow up to 50 cm in length. Venus girdles have rows of cilia that they use for both movement and to capture prey. They are known to feed on small zooplankton, such as copepods and larval fish. Venus girdles are important members of marine ecosystems, as they help to regulate the populations of their prey.

ii) Class Nuda: Their body is without tentacles.

• Example of Nuda: Beroe