IDENTIFICATION (with reason) OF Aurelia sp. (B.Sc. ZOOLOGY_CCF-CC5_SEM4)

  Identifying features are:

1. Multicellular heterotroph.
2. embryonic development, preceded by heterogametic fertilization.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Kingdom Animalia.

1. Soft-bodied, polymorphic mesozoa with radial and biradial symmetry.
2. Ectoderm & endoderm separated by a noncellular mesoglea.
3. Single gastrovascular cavity.
4. Polypoid zooids which possess single body cavity,the coelenteron, with a solitary mouth.
5. Mouth is guarded by a circlet of tentacles.
6. Outer body wall possesses numerous cnidoblasts (or cnidocytes).

                  Hence, the specimen belongs to the Phylum Cnidaria .

1. Umbrella shaped medusoid form.
2. Presence of tentaculocysts.
3. Gonads are lodged in gastrodermis.

                 Hence. the specimen belongs to the Class Hydrozoa.

1. Saucer-shaped  inverted umbrella with tetramerous radial symmetry.
2. Outline of umbrella is notched and housed by eight pairs of marginal lappets.
3. Numerous small tentacles are present between two notches.
4. Large squarish mouth at the centre of subumbrellar surface.
5. Long, frilled and tapering oral arms, lying one at each angle of mouth.
6. Inner side of oral arms have ciliated grooves.
7. Subumbrellar contains marginal tentacles, 8 marginal lappets & 8 tentaculocysts.
8. Four horseshoe-shaped gonads and per, inter and adradially arranged canals are visible on the surface of umbrella.

                Hence, the specimen seems to be Aurelia sp.

Systematic Position (Ruppert & Barnes 1994)

 Kingdom: Animalia

   Phylum: Cnidaria

     Class: Scyphozoa

          Genus: Aurelia