Systematic

Biology Laboratory

Activity # 6

Cnidaria

NAME__________________________________________________SCORE____________________

COURSE/YR. & SEC.__________________GROUP________________DATE____________________

Cnidaria or Coelenterata includes the hydras, jellyfishes, anemones and corals. These are
carnivorous, tentaculate and multicellular animals represent the tissue level of organization since they
lack organ or organ system. Cnidarians possess stinging organelles called nematocysts considered as the
most distinguishing feature of the phylum. They possess two basic metazoan features, a mouth where
all the materials entered and exit and a gastrovascular cavity (coelenteron) which serves as internal
space for digestion and distribution of nutrients and other materials. There are approximately 9,000
species of cnidarians with the exception of freshwater hydras and a few jelly fishes.

There are two basic body forms of cnidarians: (1) polyp (hydroid) and (2) medusa (jellyfish). Both
forms are saclike and contain a gastrovascular cavity. The polyp is sessile and tubular with a mouth in
the hypostome at the distal end that is usually surrounded by tentacles. The medusa is typically free
swimming and umbrella shaped, with tentacles extending from the outer margin of the bell. Both the
medusa and polyp are composed of the same body layers such as the dermal epithelium (epidermis),
mesoglea and inner gastrodermis (endoderm). Polymorphism is common in cnidarians and often
associated with their colonial existence. Cnidarians are monoecious and dioecious.

Phylum Cnidaria consists of four classes such as the Hydrozoa the simpler cnidarians, Scyphozoa
which are often called the true jellyfish, Cubomedusae (Cubozoa) the cube shaped jellyfish and
Anthozoa the largest cnidarian class which includes sea anemones and corals.

I. OBJECTIVES

It is expected that after the completion of this activity, the student should be able to do each of
the following:

1. To familiarize and identify the different representatives of Cnidarians

2. To identify the parts of Cnidarians and know its function.
3. To identify the corals based on their morphological characteristics.

II. MATERIALS

Compound microscope

Hand lens & ruler

JPBALA2016
 Prepared slides: Hydra & Obelia

Preserved specimens: Corals

Sea anemone

Jelly fishes

III. PROCEDURE

1. Obtain the prepared slide of the Hydra and observe it in microscope under HPO. Draw and label
its parts such as the tentacles, mouth, hypostome, body column, and base basal disc or pedal.
2. Obtain the prepared slide of Obelia and observe it in microscope under HPO. Draw and label its
parts such as the mouth, tentacle, manubrium, annulus, hydrant, hydrotheca, diaphragm,
periderm and pedicel.
3. Observe the preserved specimens of Sea anemone. Draw and identify its external parts such as
the tentacles, oral disc, mouth, wall, & pedal disc.
4. Observed the specimen of moon jelly fish. Draw and identify its external parts such as the oral
arms, mouth, tentacles, bell, gonads, and radial canals.
5. Observe the different specimens of hard corals and determine the type of corallite arrangement,
colony growth forms and diameter and or spacing of corralites and their appearance.

IV. REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are the bases of classifying cnidarians?

2. What are the two body form characteristics of Cnidarians?

3. What are the factors influencing the coral colony morphology?

4. Give the ecological importance of Cnidarians.

JPBALA2016
V. CONCLUSION

VI. REFERENCES

JPBALA2016
 Systematic Biology Laboratory

Activity # 6

Cnidaria

NAME__________________________________________________SCORE___________________

COURSE/YR. & SEC.__________________GROUP________________DATE____________________

Hydra Obelia

Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Scientific name:
Common name: Sea anemone

JPBALA2016
 Systematic Biology Laboratory

Activity # 6

Cnidaria

NAME__________________________________________________SCORE___________________

COURSE/YR. & SEC.__________________GROUP________________DATE____________________

Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Scientific name:
Common name: jelly fish

Type of corallite arrangement:
Colony growth forms:
Diameter and or spacing of corralites:
Other characteristics:

Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Scientific name:
Common name:

Type of corallite arrangement:
Colony growth forms:
Diameter and or spacing of corralites:
Other characteristics:

JPBALA2016

 Systematic Biology Laboratory

Activity # 6

Cnidaria

NAME__________________________________________________SCORE___________________

COURSE/YR. & SEC.__________________GROUP________________DATE____________________

Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Scientific name:
Common name:

Type of corallite arrangement:
Colony growth forms:
Diameter and or spacing of corralites:
Other characteristics:

Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Scientific name:
Common name:

Type of corallite arrangement:
Colony growth forms:
Diameter and or spacing of corralites:
Other characteristics:

JPBALA2016


Moon jelly fish

Sea anemone ( Metridium)