Pictures of the Day

Ctenophores from
Ernst Haeckle’s
“Art forms of Nature”
Iridescense

Bioluminescence
Ctenophora and Speculations About the
Basal Metazoa (Urmetazoa)
(see Ch 7 and Ch 4 pp 87-88)
I. Ctenophora characteristics
II. Current views About Phylogeny
 Sea Walnut
Mnemiopsis leidyi
Fineartamerica.com

Voracious planktivores
Ecological Importance of
Ctenophores: The Black & Caspian Sea
Stories
-- deterioration of the Black Sea due to
eutrophication and fisheries (bonito,
mackarel, dorado); In 1989 Mnemiopsis
causes crash of anchovy fishery
-- 1997 predatory Ctenophore Beroe invades
the Black sea and begins to control
Mnemiopsis .
-- 1999 Mnemiopsis in the Caspian Sea
threatens kilka fishery;Iran’s landings down
to 15000 tons, an 82 % decrease by 2004.
-- Has since spread to North Sea and Baltic
Sea, though no one can explain how.
 Spread of Mnemiopsis leidyi in European seas

http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/memo
Phylum Ctenophora
Normally aligned with
Phylum Cnidaria on the basis
of body plan, life style but
clearly a valid distinct phylum
 Characteristics
of Ctenophora
Cnidaria Like
•Gelatinous, planktonic
•Epithelia, mesoglea
•Mouth, pharynx, G-V canals
• No circulatory, excretory systems
• Nerve net present
Unique to Ctenophora
•Muscles* from cells in mesoglea;
widely believed to be mesoderm
•Biradial symmetry
• Locomotion by comb rows
• 2 digestive canals open to the
outside by anal pores…… more on this
 The Presence of a Functionally
Tripartite Through-Gut in Ctenophora
Has Implications for Metazoan
Character Trait Evolution (2016) Did a complete digestive
system evolve independently
in the Ctenophores and in
Bilateria?

“Advanced” characters in
Ctenophora
(compared to sponges)

1. Through-gut
2.
3.
4.
Jason S. Presnell, Lauren E. Vandepas, Kaitlyn J. Warren,
Billie J. Swalla, Chris T. Amemiya, William E. Browne
null, Volume 26, Issue 20, 2016, 2814–2820
 The Presence of a Functionally
Tripartite Through-Gut in Ctenophora
Has Implications for Metazoan
Character Trait Evolution (2016) Did a complete digestive
system evolve independently
in the Ctenophores and in
Bilateria?

“Advanced” characters in
Ctenophora
(compared to sponges)

1. Through-gut
2.Nervous system
3. Muscles
4. Epithelia
Jason S. Presnell, Lauren E. Vandepas, Kaitlyn J. Warren,
Billie J. Swalla, Chris T. Amemiya, William E. Browne
null, Volume 26, Issue 20, 2016, 2814–2820
Other important differences:
• A few exceptional bottom-dwelling spp but no polyp phase
•Polymorphism unknown in Ctenophores
• No Ctenophores are colonial
• Colloblast (lasso) cells for feeding

• Gastrulation by epiboly or by invagination whereas

cnidarians gastrulate by delamination primarily

• Swimming by comb rows under control of apical organ

Sense Organs (statolith etc.) and other apical structures in
Ctenophores (figure 7.2). The ciliary grooves are agents of nerve
impulse conduction……. A nervous system; also consists of a nerve net

Pole plates also believed to be sensory in nature

 Are Ctenophores or Sponges
the oldest animals?

Oldest known fossils are sponges (600 mya)

Cholesterol traces of sponges 650 mya

Link between choanoflagellates and sponges

Ctenophores have mesoderm, nerves, through- gut & Epithelia

But “fronds” present in the preCambrian were Ctenophores and

ctenophores are also ancient….
- Ctenophores are the sister group of all other animals
- Genes for mesodermal cells present but lack other animal
mesodermal gene components- may be independently evolved

Joseph F. Ryan et al
Independent
origins of a Leonid Moroz has
nervous system Through found that :
gut “…classical neuro-
transmitter
pathways are absent
in Ctenophores;
x serotonin, dopamine,
adrenaline…all absent
…is consistent with
x the idea that the
x
Ctenophore neural
system evolved
independently.

Through
gut

Note also independent origin of

mesoderm and of a thru digestive system
Porifera Ctenophora
Sister Sister