Phyla Cnidaria and Ctenophora, Basic Animal Development ...

Phyla Cnidaria and Ctenophora, Basic Animal Development &
Introduction to Nervous Systems 5.11
Lab #5 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
Class Cubozoa
Observe the specimen and/or diagram of Carybdea sp.
Record the descriptive information requested at the end of the lab for this species.
Class Anthozoa
Subclass Hexacorallia
Observe the specimens and/or diagrams of the following species.
Record the descriptive information requested at the end of the lab for these species.
Balanophyllia elegans
Note that the scleractinian hexacorallians (stony corals) synthesize a consolidated calcium
carbonate skeleton while anemones do not.
Anthopleura sola
What accounts for the green color often present in this species?
Feeding Demonstration in an Anthozoan
As available, your instructor may feed a small piece of mussel to one of the anemones on
display in the lab.
Briefly describe the feeding behavior of the anemone:
Cnidocytes and Examination of Nematocyst Discharge
Cnidocytes are cells found in the epidermis between epitheliomuscular cells of cnidarians.
Cnidocytes have nematocysts which are tiny capsules composed of material similar to chitin
and contain a coiled tubular filament which is a continuation of the narrowed end of the
capsule. This end of the cnidocyte is covered by the operculum. The base of the filament may
have spines are barbs. The filament and barbs may contain a poison. The cnidocytes in
anthozoans do not have the trigger-like cnidocil. The cnidocil is a modified cilium. In
anthozoans a modified ciliary-like mechanoreceptor is involved in triggering nematocyst
discharge.