General Characteristics

1. Over 9,600 species found exclusively in aquatic

and mostly marine environments. 2. They are radially symmetrical or biradial symmetry around a longitudinal axis with oral and aboral ends; no definite head.

3. Diploblastic ; found mesoglea, a nonliving jellylike substance, between ectodermal and endodermal layers.

General Characteristics 4. No coelomic cavity instead they have gastrovascular cavity which serve for circulation and respiration as well as digestion and distribution of food.

5. They possess mouth used for both ingestion and egestion. Mouth is surrounded by tentacles bearing nematocysts.
6. Nematocysts or Cnidocytes are apecialized cells used mainly for capturing prey.

General Characteristics 7. Two basic body forms: a. swimming medusae found in quiet bays b. sessile polyps - found in rocky coasts 8. The nervous system is simple which is a primitive nerve net type.

9. Muscular system is mostly epitheliomuscular.

10. Reproduction is either sexually or asexually or both sexually and asexually.

General Characteristics 11. Types of skeletons found in cnidarians are chitinous, calcareous or protein containing (exoskeleton or endoskeleton).

12. Fossil cnidarians have been found in rocks formed about 580 million years ago, and other fossils show that corals may have been present shortly before 490 million years ago and diversified a few million years later.

FORM & FUNCTION

1. Forms a. POLYP hydroid form - cylindrical in shape - elongated at the axis of the body - In solitary polyp, the aboral end is attached in the substratum bythe pedal disc. - In colonial polyp, polyps are connected directly or indirectly.

- Oral end consists of a mouth surrounded by a circlet of tentacles. - At night, polyps extend their tentacles containing nematocysts pierce, poisonand hold the prey. - Polyps occur in all 4 classes of the phylum. tentacles-are organs whichserve both for the tactile sense and for the capture of food.

- Longitudinal muscular fibril formed from the endoderm allow tentacles to contract when conveying the food to the mouth. - Circular muscular fibril allow the tentacles to be protract or thrust out once they are contracted.

- Peristome is an anatomical feature surrounding the mouth. - Column is the circular or oval in section, forming the trunk, resting on a base or foot and surmounted by the crown of tentacles.

- Gastrodermis is the inner layer of cell that lines a gastrovascular cavity.

- They have stomach and digestive filament.

- Coenosarc is the living tissue of a polyp, consisting of the outer, nonciliated epidermis and the inner, ciliated gastrodermis with the thin acellular mesoglea in between. The coenosarc connects the coral polyps of a coral colony. It spreads along the surface of the calcareous exoskeleton.

- Perisarc is a horny external covering that encloses the polyp colonies of certain hydrozoans

- Hydrocaulus is the hollow stem of a hydroid, either simple or branched. - Siphonoglyphs is a ciliated groove at one or both ends of the mouth of sea anemones and some corals. The siphonoglyph extends into a pharynx and is used to create currents of water into the pharynx. These water currents are important for respirationand maintenance of internal pressure.

Polyps may be in singly or colony. Colonial polyps are polymorphic. Polymorphism is having multiple alleles of a gene within a population, usually expressing different phenotypes. * Kinds of Polyps: a) Hydranth( Gastrozooid) - A nutritive polyp of colonial coelenterates, characterized by having tentacles and a mouth. - also known as the feeding zooids. b) Dactylozooid - a colonial hydrozoan polyp that possesses a large, nematocyst-bearing fishing tentacle, and functions in defense and in food capture c) Gonozooid - is the reproductive polyp

- Gonophores is a reproductive organ in Hydrozoa that produces gametes - Blastostyle Is an imperfect zooid, whose special function is to produce medusoid buds - Gonotheca is a capsule developed inclosing the blastostyle upon which the medusoid buds or gonophores are developed. - Gonangium is a capsule which encloses the blastostyle of some hydroids. It is formed upon the blastostyle by the splitting of the ectoderm into an inner layer, which invests the central axis formed by the endoderm with the prolongation of the somatic cavity, and an outer layer, chiefly or entirely chitinous.

1. Forms b. MEDUSA jellyfish form - the gastrovascular cavity serves as the gullet, stomach and intestine. - the orifice functions as both the mouth and anus. - tentacles are lined on the of base of the body. - the body is divided into: oral and aboral ends.

- Oral end consists of the mouth and the tentacles. - Aboral end consists of the majority of the body.
Body structure: 1.Exumbrella the upper conve surface. 2.Subumbrella the lower concave surface. 3.Manubrium is the canal tube situated in the foot.

4. Velum - thin, shelf-like structure extends inward from the circular edge (ring canal) of the bell.

- Jellyfishes digest using the gastrodermal lining of the gastrovascular cavity, where nutrients absorbed.
- The body is oxygenated by diffusion, they do not have respiratory system. - They do not have brain or nervous system instead they have nerve nets, loose network of nerves.

- Rhopalial lappet is a circular nerve ring located at the rim of the jellyfish body. - Ocelli are light sensitive organs which do not form images but can detect light. - Bloom or Smack is a collective name of jellyfishes. It is usually used for a large group of jellyfish that gather in a small area, but may also have a time component, referring to seasonal increases, or numbers beyond what was expected. - Swarm is the ability of the species to stay together.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

EGG and SPERM Jellyfish reproduce sexually so adult jellyfish are either male or female. Both sexes have reproductive organs called gonads. The gonads in males produce sperm, in females they produce eggs. When jellyfish are ready to mate, the male releases sperm through its mouth opening located on the underside of its bell. The fertilization of eggs in the female jellyfish depends on the species.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

PLANULA LARVA

After the fertilized eggs have undergone embryonic develoment, they hatch and the free-swimming planulae that emerge then leave the female's mouth or brood pouch and set out on their own. The planula larva is a short-lived stage in the jellyfish's life cycle. A planula is a tiny oval structure whose outer layer is lined with minute hairs called cilia.

The cilia beat together to propel the planula through the water, but the motion of the cilia does not carry the planula far, instead ocean currents are responsible for transporting planulae long distances. The planula floats for a few days at the surface of the sea. It then drops downward to settle on a solid substrate where it attaches itself and begins its development into a polyp.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

SCYPHISTOMA

After settling to the sea floor, the planula larva attaches itself to a hard surface and transforms into a polyp (or scyphistoma). This polyp stage in the jellyfish life cycle is a sessile stage, so called because the polyp is stationary and remains attached to a single spot on the sea floor.

A polyp is cylindrical and stalk-like in form. At its base is a disc that adheres to the substrate and its top is a mouth opening surrounded by small tentacles.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

POLYP HYDROID COLONY (Strobilating scyphistomata)

The polyp feeds by drawing food into its mouth. It grows and begins to bud new polyps from its trunk. As it does, the polyp develops into what is called a polyp hydroid. Members of the polyp colony are linked together by feeding tubes.

The entire polyp hydroid colony, like the originating polyp, is sessile. The polyp colony can grow for several years. When polyps within the colony reach an adequate size, they are ready to begin the next stage in the jellyfish life cycle.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

EPHYRA and MEDUSA When the polyp hydroid colony is ready to transform, the stalk portion of its polyps begin to develop horizontal grooves. These grooves continue to deepen until the polyp resembles a stack of saucers. The topmost groove matures the fastest and eventually buds off as a tiny baby jellyfish also known as an ephyra.

The budding process by which polyps release ephyra is asexual. The ephyra grow in size and become the adult (medusa) form of jellyfish.

LIFE CYCLE OF A MEDUSA

2. Cnidocytes - These "nettle cells" function as harpoons, since their payloads remain connected to the bodies of the cells by threads. 3 types : a) Nematocysts - inject venom into prey, and usually have barbs to keep them embedded in the victims. b) Spirocysts - do not penetrate the victim or inject venom, but entangle it by means of small sticky hairs on the thread. Only members of the class Anthozoa have spirocysts.

c) Ptychocysts - are not used for prey capture instead the threads of discharged ptychocysts are used for building protective tubes in which their owners live. Ptychocysts are found only in the order Cerianthria, tube anemones.

Other components are: a) Cilium - (fine hair) which projects above the surface and acts as a trigger. b) Cnida - A tough capsule which houses the thread, its payload and a mixture of chemicals which may include venom or adhesives or both.

c) Operculum - (lid) over the end of the cnida. The lid may be a single hinged flap or three flaps arranged like slices of pie. d) Cnidoblast - A cell in the epidermis of cnidarians in which the nematocyst develops. e) Cnidocil - a hairlike sensory process projecting from the surface of a cnidoblast, believed to trigger the discharge of the nematocyst.

3. Nervous system and Senses - Cnidaria have no brains or even central nervous system. Instead they have decentralized nerve nets which are : a) Sensory Neurons generate signals in response to various types of stimulus such as odor. b) Motor Neurons tell muscles to contract.

c) Cilia detect physical contact. d) Statocysts sense tilt and acceleration. e) Statoliths-detect the movements of internal mineral grains. f) Ocelli detect light

4. Feeding and Excretion Cnidarians feed in several ways: a) Predation b) absorbing dissolved organic chemicals c) filtering food particles out of the water d) obtaining nutrients from symbiotic algae within their cells. - The "smell" of fluids from wounded prey makes the tentacles fold inwards and wipe the prey off into the mouth.

- the tentacles and oral arms often have rows of cilia whose beating creates currents that flow towards the mouth, and some produce nets of mucus to trap particles.
- Medusae often trap prey or suspended food particles by swimming upwards, spreading their tentacles and oral arms and then sinking. - Once the food is in the digestive cavity, gland cells in the gastroderm release enzymes that reduce the prey to slurry, usually within a few hours.

-The circulation of nutrients is driven by water currents produced by cilia in the gastroderm or by muscular movements or both, so that nutrients reach all parts of the digestive cavity.
-Nutrients reach the outer cell layer by diffusion or, for animals or zooids such as medusae which have thick mesogleas, are transported by mobile cells in the mesoglea. -Indigestible remains of prey are expelled through the mouth. The main waste product of cells' internal processes is ammonia, which is removed by the external and internal water currents.

5. Respiration -There are no respiratory organs, and both cell layers absorb oxygen from and expel carbon dioxide into the surrounding water.
-Some Anthozoa have ciliated grooves on their tentacles, allowing them to pump water out of and into the digestive cavity without opening the mouth. -This improves respiration after feeding and allows these animals, which use the cavity as a hydrostatic skeleton, to control the water pressure in the cavity without expelling undigested food.

-Cnidaria that carry photosynthetic symbionts may have the opposite problem, an excess of oxygen, which may prove toxic. The animals produce large quantities of antioxidants to neutralize the excess oxygen.
6. Reproduction - may be sexual or asexual or both sexual and asexual.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION - All known cnidaria can reproduce asexually by various means, in addition to regenerating after being fragmented.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION Hydrozoan polyps only bud, while the medusae of some hydrozoans can divide down the middle. Scyphozoan polyps can both bud and split down the middle. In addition to both of these methods, Anthozoa can split horizontally just above the base.
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION - often involves a complex life cycle with both polyp and medusa stages.

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION In Scyphozoa (jellyfish) and Cubozoa (box jellies) a larva swims until it finds a good site, and then becomes a polyp. This grows normally but then absorbs its tentacles and splits horizontally into a series of disks that become juvenile medusae, a process called strobilation.
Scyphozoan and hydrozoan larvae have little yolk and most lack endosymbiotic algae, and therefore have to settle quickly and metamorphose into polyps.

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION Hydrozoa have a variety of life cycles. Some have no polyp stages and some have no medusae. In some species the medusae remain attached to the polyp and are responsible for sexual reproduction; in extreme cases these reproductive zooids may not look much like medusae.
Anthozoa have no medusa stage at all and the polyps are responsible for sexual reproduction. Anthozoan larvae either have large yolks or are capable of feeding on plankton.

7. Locomotion - Medusae swim by a form of jet propulsion: muscles, especially inside the rim of the bell, squeeze water out of the cavity inside the bell, and the springiness of the mesoglea powers the recovery stroke.
- Hydras and some sea anemones can move slowly over rocks and sea or stream beds by various means: creeping like snails, crawling like inchworms, or by somersaulting. A few can swim clumsily by waggling their bases.

FACTS * The "sea wasp" Chironex fleckeri has been described as

the world's most venomous animal and is held responsible for 67 deaths * Most stingings by C. fleckeri cause only mild symptoms. *Seven other box jellies can cause a set of symptoms called Irukandji syndrome, which takes about 30 minutes to develop, and from a few hours to two weeks to disappear *tropical Indo Pacific Stichodactyla mertensii is the largest polyp that can exceed a meter in diameter * Metridium giganteum - found in northeast Pacific & which can extend its column to a meter in height (largest).

I. CLASS HYDROZOA - very small, predatory animals which can be solitary or colonial and which mostly live in saltwater. - Most hydrozoan species include both a hydroid and a medusoid stage in their life cycle. -usually dioecious, which means that they have separate sexes. -Gastrovascular cavity lacks stomodaeum or partitions. - Medusa is typically craspeote (with velum).

I. CLASS HYDROZOA A. Order Hydroida - polypoid generation well-developed - solitary - capable of locomotion - no medusa Ex. Hydra

I. CLASS HYDROZOA B. Order Anthomedusa (Gymnoblastea) - coenosarc is covered by horny perisarc - medusa is similar to a deep bell - without statocysts Ex. Pennaria

I. CLASS HYDROZOA C. Order Leptomedusae (Calyptoblastea) -coenosarc covered by perisarc produced by nutritive polyp as hydrotheca; - and over the reproductive polyp as gonatheca. -medusa is saucer-shaped with statocysts Ex. Obelia , Aglaophenia, Plumularia

I. CLASS HYDROZOA D. Order Milleporina - colonial polypoid hydrozoans with upright growth forms - brightly colored -large numbers of defensive polyp Ex. Millepora

I. CLASS HYDROZOA E. Order Trachymedusa - sense tentacles are present in pits or vesicles -gonads are found in radial canal - marginal tentacles present along the edges of the umbrella Ex. Liriope

I. CLASS HYDROZOA F. Order Limnomedusa -small solitary polyps are free medusae Ex. Gonionemus

I. CLASS HYDROZOA G. Order Siphonophora - free swimming colonies - show extreme polymorphism in polyps and medusae - Perisarc is absent Ex. Porpita, Physalia

II. Class Scyphozoa

The class Scyphozoa comprises the familiar jellyfishes, of major ecological significance in the plankton. Some, including the sessile stauromedusae and the polyp stages of metagenetic free-swimming medusae, occur as part of the benthos. Representatives of the group are found in all oceans and range bathymetrically from sea surface to abyss. All are marine. Of about 175 species recognized worldwide, six occurring in the Woods Hole area are considered here.

CHARACTERISTICS

They typically possess tentacles Their symmetry is radial, The body wall consists of an outer epidermis and inner gastrodermis, separated by a layer of jelly-like mesoglea The mouth is the only opening to the digestive system Nematocysts or "stinging capsules", formed by specialized cells called nematocytes, are present.

Jellyfishes undergo a complex life cycle. Medusae of most species are dioecious, with the fertilized egg developing into a tiny , ciliated, free-swimming larva (planula). The planktonic, cigar-shaped planulae typically settle to the bottom after several hours or days and develop into tentacle-bearing polyps (scyphistomae). The sessile scyphistoma, reaching a few millimeters in height, may reproduce asexually, generally by budding or by formation of cysts (podocysts).

Order Cubomedusae
(Carybdeida) the bell has four flattened sides and relatively cubical form. A leaf-shaped blade or pedalium is present at the base of each exumbrellar ridge. Each pedalium bears a tentacles or cluster of tentacles with nematocysts. The quadrangular manubrium found at the center of the subumbrella. The extension of the subembrella forms velarium. Most members of the group can give dangerous stings with reported fatalities from Tayabas Bay and Palawan.

Carybdea
Is one of the most feared jellyfishes in the Philippine seas because of its very painful nematocysts. It has cubical umbrella. The manubrium hangs down from the center of the exumbrella. The corners of the umbrella are produced downward into 4 pedalia with one long, slender tentacle.

Carybdea

Chiropsalmus quadrigatus
Another one of the most dangerous jellyfishes in the Philippines, it is called fire medusae. A large thick pedalium springs from the umbrella corner and branches into smaller pedalia with tentacles.There are 4 interradial pedalia of 7 tentacles each. The tentacles are very long, slender and flexible reaching a length of 1.5 meters or more.

Chiropsalmus quadrigatus

Tripedalia
The shape of the umbrella is helmet-like. It has 3 short tentacles arising from each pedalium.

Tripedalia

Order Semaeostomeae
The medusa is saucer-shaped, mouth is square with four long oral arms. There are 8 to 16 tentaculocysts. The dominant swimming form is medusa.

Aurelia labiata
Is a widely distributed scyphozoan in the Phillippine waters. The colorless umbrella is almost flat. The umbrella is fringed with numerous short marginal tentacles. The margin is divided into 16 velar lobes. The large mouth is located at the center and extended by groove into each oral arm.

Aurelia labiata

Order Rhizostomeae
The medusa is saucer-shaped without marginal tentacles . The margin of the bell is scalloped. The mouth is obliterated by the oral arms with many sucking mouth.

Mastigias papua

Acrometoides purpureus
This is one of the most common jellyfishes in Manila Bay. There are four pairs of oral arms. Hanging from the roof of the subumbrella are coiled organs called gonads. Extending from the gastric cavity are four slender gastric pouches. There are 16 umbranched radial canals. It has a high conical umbrella.

III. CLASS ANTHOZOA Anthozoans are probably the most famous cnidarians: they include the corals that build great reefs in tropical waters, as well as sea anemones, sea fans, and sea pens. They also have a long and diverse fossil record, extending back at least 550 million years. Anthozoans are either solitary or colonial polypoid coelenterates where the medusoid stage is completely absent. They may be divided into those that are octamerous or built around a plan of eight and those that are hexamerous or polymerous, built on a plan of 6 multiples of 6.

1.

Subclass Alcyonaria (octocorallia)-these are anthozoans with eight mesenteries and eight pinnate tentacles. The stomodaeum has a single siphonoglyph. The skeleton is internal consisting of spicules in the mesoglea occasionally supplemented by an external skeleton. Longitudinal muscles on the ventral faces of the mesenteries are present. Order Stolonifera Polyps arising singly from a narrow, creeping stolon, without secondary budding; stolon sometimes expanded to form an encrusting membrane. Colonies form encrusting networks by branching and anastomosing, occasionally coalescing to form membranous sheets. Stolon and anthosteles often covered with thin, horny periderm. Sclerites may be present or absent.

 Tubipora musica The single known species, Tubipora musica, occurs on reefs in shallow waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans and is characterized by long, parallel upright polyps, or stalks, supported by a skeleton of rigid tubes of calcium carbonate. It is also known as organ pipe coral and frequently used for decoration in rock gardens. The color of the tube is red due to the presence of iron salts.

 Clavularia The Clavularia genus is an encrusting mat-like coral. They form mats that are flat, unaltered and connect to form a mesh-like structure which contains the polyps. They can also look like a solid "feather" with stiffer "plumes" and all species have tentacles of varying length. Some species have a more tubular or thick tentacle.

Telesto The colonies consist of simple or branched stems bearing lateral polyps arising from a creeping base by way of solenial networks. Spicules may be united by calcareous and horny secretions.

 Order Alcyonacea-The Alcyonacea, or the soft corals are an order of corals which do not produce calcium carbonate skeletons. Instead they contain minute, spiny skeletal elements called sclerites. Thus they are not reef-building corals and do not lay new foundations for future corals. Nephthya This soft corals has a thin canal walls and polyps with supporting bundles arranged in catkins or lobes. The colony has a sterile stem which bears a dendritic branching mass of polypiferous ramifications.

 Lobophytum Colonies with short wide stalk or encrusting. Polyparium with lobes or crests, sometimes flat. Polyps dimorphic. Sclerites of surface layer are clubs; sclerites of interior are capstans and spindles. Color of colonies light yellow, beige, brown, greenish. Polyps often white. Zooxanthellae present.

Sarcophyton
Colony is mush room shaped with the disc lobed of folded strongly at the margin and set off distinctly from the sterile stalk. The folds arise principally from the periphery, polyps are restricted on the outer lobed top of the coenenchyme.

Sinularia Does not require as much light as some other corals.

Sclerophytum The colony is erect, branched and shows a marked lateral compression. The distal end of the stalk divides into branches where numerous secondary lobes are arranged in no definite order. The terminal portions of the secondary lobes are conical. The polyps are confined on the finger top processes of the coenenchyme.

Alcyonium A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly used for certain species of sponges.

Capnella relies heavily on the products of their zoothantellae but also may feed on phytoplanktonand similarly sized micro fauna in the water column.

Xenia Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral resembling a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. This action is unique to Xenia species, and was once thought to be used for catching ambient plankton, but is now thought to be used for respiration.

Order gorgonacea- the gorgonaceans are fan or featherlike colonies of horny corals with gorgonian axial skeletons. The colony may branch in a radial direction or in one plane. Corallium Precious coral or red coral is the common name given to Corallium rubrum and several related species of marine . The distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely colored red or pink skeleton, which is used for making jewelry.

Gorgonia A gorgonian, also known as sea whip or sea fan, is an order os sessile colonial cnidarian found throughout the oceans of the world, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Gorgonians are similar to the sea pen, another soft coral. Individual tiny polyps form colonies that are normally erect, flattened, branching, and reminiscent of a fan.

Echinogorgia The color of the whole colony is dark brown. Colonies are branched in one plane, lateral and abundant branching with their twigs overlapping. Stems are slightly flattened. Many true anatomies are found in the flabellate colony.

 Rumphella The structure is covered by a rind, which is a tissue layer, and there are polyps on raised areas of the rind. The rigid structure of branches consists of a protein substance called gorgonian, thus the family name. The colors of the Rumphella corals are generally brown, but they can come in tan to yellow and yellow to brown.

 Isis Colony is abundantly branched but tends to form flabellum. White calcareous internodes are usually swollen proximally and slender distally. Twigs have short and markedly constricted horny nodes and longitudinally furrowed calcareous internodes. The coenenchyme is brown. Order pennatulacea-As is the case for all octocorals, sea pens are actually colonies of polyps. What distinguishes sea pens is polyp dimorphism. One polyp grows very large and loses its tentacles, forming the central axis. The base of this primary polyp forms a bulb which may be expanded or contracted; the sea pen uses this bulb (not visible in the picture to the left) to anchor itself. Branching off this primary polyp are various secondary polyps. Some, called autozooids, are typical feeding polyps. Others, the larger and fewer siphonozooids, serve as intakes for water, which circulates within the colony and helps keep it upright. Also supporting the colony are calcareous spicules and frequently a central axial rod of calcium carbonate.

Pennatula- they are also known as sea feathers. They live on sandy or muddy bottoms. The central stem is a huge axial polyp having a lower peduncle and distal rachis. The peduncle is buried in the mud by an enlarged end bulb.

Pteroids- this sea pen occurs on the sandy shores. A fleshy rachis is inserted by the peduncle into the sandy substratum. The rachis is free from polyps. It bears distally on each side leaf-like lobes strengthened with long, rod-like spicules. Stylatula- commonly called sea pen, colony is long and slender. The peduncle with end bulb continues distally into a long stem free from aotuzooids. On each side of the rachis is a succession of flattened levees called pinnulae which nearly surround the stem. Polyps are in whorls on the upper portion of the colony.

2. Subclass Zoantharia- The individual polyp of these cnidarians is typically characterized by approximately a multiple of six tentacles and mesenteries. Metamorphosis from the planula larva typically results in a polyp with six evenly-spaced mesenteries and six tentacles, one communicating with each intermesenterial space. Order actiniaria- Sea anemones are a group of waterdwelling, predatory animals of the order Actiniaria; they are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower.

Metridium Also known as Plumose Sea Anemones, are sea anemones found mostly in the cooler waters of the northern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are characterized by their numerous threadlike tentacles extending from atop a smooth cylindrical base, and can vary from a few centimeters in height up to one meter or more. In larger specimens, the oral disk becomes densely curved and frilly.

 Actinia Actiniidae with very wide pedal disc and smooth, rather low column. A ring of simple or slightly compound marginal spherules in the deep fosse. These are commonly conspicuous but can be covered up by the margin in contraction.

Order scleractinia- Scleractinian ("hard-rayed") corals first appeared in the Middle Triassic and refilled the ecological niche once held by tabulate and rugose corals. They are probably not closely related to the extinct tabulate or rugose corals, and probably arose independently from a sea anemone-like ancestor. Their pattern of septa differs markedly from that of the Rugosa, being basically sixrayed. For this reason, scleractinians are sometimes referred to as hexacorals.

Suborder Astrocoeniida- these are mostly branches or lobes which arise from a more or less compact base. The branches are covered with wart like elevations. Corallites are crowded terminally and united by their walls. The calices are small and may be deep or shallow, circular or angular. The corallites are crossed by tabulae. Pocillopora The Pocillopora Cauliflower Coral is a coral that is also referred to as Bird's Nest, Lace, Cluster, or Brush Coral. The appearance of the colonies with polyps extended actually gives this species its more common name, Cauliflower Coral. They have a very fuzzy appearance, and are a very colorful addition to a reef aquarium. The most common colors are brown and pink.

Acropora- Depending on the species and location, Acropora may grow as plates or slender or broad branches. Like other corals, Acropora corals are colonies of individuals known as polyps, which are about 2 mm across and share tissue and nerve net.

Suborder fungiida- corallium may be solitary or colonial, disc shaped or elongate, flat or cupoloid with single central furrow on the upper surface. Costae are in the form of ridges or rows of spines. Fungia corals can reproduce sexually or asexually. During sexual reproduction, eggs and sperm are released into the water where the egg is fertilized and develops into larvae .Within a fortnight, the larvae will settle on to hard substrate . Asexually reproduced young coral, or acanthocauli, can develop from partly buried, damaged or dying parent tissue.

Herpolitha- it is colonial with boat shaped corallum. The concave lower surface is studded with fine conical projections. The sclerosepta have jagged edges, do not reach the edge and are not arranged regularly.

 Polyphyllia- the colony is boat shaped but without distinct central furrow. The smooth lower surface is concave. The sclerosepta have jagged edges and disposed in a regular flower-like pattern.

Halomitra- the corallum is compound, convex or folded. The upper surface has a funnel-shaped, large calyx which is surrounded by a ring of smaller calices. The sclerosepta are numerous, unequal and denticulate.

Suborder Faviida- these are corals of various growths forms, either

solitary or colonial. The septa are in the form of plates without perforations, not connected by bars and the edges are cut into teeth or lobes. Galaxea
The colors this coral comes in are green, red, brown, gray, and pink, as well as mixtures of these. The outer tentacles that extend from each corallites tend to be clear or translucent, with tentacles becoming more opaque towards the center. They are often tipped in white, or sometimes a lighter variation of their colors. The polyps range in size, up to 6mm in diameter. Tentacles are often extended during the day.

Favia species exhibit fleshy polyps that have their own cups
and can expand and contract rather quickly. This is especially the case if they are harassed by fish, shrimp, bristle worms, urchins and anything else that may crawl around and touch them. Mind you they are powerful stingers themselves.

 The Symphyllia Brain Coral Symphyllia sp., popularly known as the Closed Brain Coral or Dented Brain Coral, is attractive and hardy. The Symphyllia Brain Coral Is very closely related to the Lobophyllia genus, and though less common, they require much of the same care. This genus of corals can be confused with Lobophyllia, but are distinguished by the skeletal structure. Symphyllia corals have corallites walls that are joined or fused together, rather than having the separate corallites walls found on Lobophyllia species.

The Lobophyllia Brain Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral often referred to as a Lobed, Colored, Carpet, Flat, or Open Brain Coral, Meat Coral, Modern Coral, or Large Flower Coral. It has fleshy polyps that hide its calcareous skeleton. It is found in a variety of textures and color forms. Some are smooth, while others are pimply, and look like carpet. Colors vary from bright red, green, orange, gray, tan, or brown.

 Sub order caryophylliida- solitary or colonial corals with laminar septa whose walls are entire. These are dendroids or phaceloid colonies with costae nonporous walls. Corallites increase by serial division and are either short or long. Euphylliia- These corals, recognized for pronounced fleshy colonies on relatively small coral skeletons, are very hardy reef tank inhabitants. The most popular of these corals are the 'Torch Coral' euphyllia glabrescens, the 'Hammer Coral' (euphyllia ancora) and the 'Frogspawn Coral' (euphyllia divisa) all readily available commercially and through aquaculture sources

Tubastrea, also known as sun coral or sun polyps. It is a cup coral in the family
Dendrophylliidae. Sun corals belong to a group of corals known as large-polyp stony corals. This means that while they produce a hard skeleton, they do not build reefs. Different species have polyps in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, and shades of black.

Turbinaria is a genus of brown algae found primarily in tropical marine waters. It generally grows on rocky substrates. The genus has shown promise as a way of removing lead from aqueous solutions

Order Antipatharia- it consists of black or thorny corals inhabiting the coastal tropical seas. They usually form slender branching, plant like colonies several feet tall. A basal plate is attached to the substratum. The polyps are cylindrical bodies possessing a circle of six non retractile tentacles. Antipathes- forms branching colonies of long, slender stalks consisting of a skeletal axis covered by thin coenenchyme bearing polyps. The axis has long numerous spines. The lower end of the colony consists of a flattened basal plate adherent to the substratum.

Order ceriantharia- members of this order are similar to the sea anemones. The body is enclosed in a sheath or tube of sand up to the oral disk. The sheathed animal lies buried in the sandy bottom with the oral disk and two circlets of tentacles exposed. A pedal disk is lacking. Cerianthus this sea anemone-like anthozoan lives in a burrow. The body is cylindrical, smooth and tapering. The oral disk bears outer marginal tentacles and inner smaller labial (oral) tentacles encircling in one to four circles. The aboral end is rounded and provided with a terminal pore.

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Daganta, Krizzanette Gail Yvette Dagohoy, Angelique Ruth Delmendo, Carlota

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