Reproduction
Ctenophores are hermaphroditic, meaning that one organism produces both egg and sperm. Ctenophores do not actively mate with one another, they let out the egg and sperm into the water as they are swimming in hopes that some eggs will be fertilized.
Ctenophores are hermaphroditic, meaning that one organism produces both egg and sperm. Ctenophores do not actively mate with one another, they let out the egg and sperm into the water as they are swimming in hopes that some eggs will be fertilized.
This picture shows the structure of a Ctenophore.
|
|
Life Cycle
Ctenophora begin life as an egg, which floats along with the ocean's currents until it becomes a larva. Larvae are usually only distinguished from adults by their size, but some species' larvae are not as developed as they will be when they become an adult. Adult Ctenophora's size and shape differ greatly between the different species.
Ctenophora begin life as an egg, which floats along with the ocean's currents until it becomes a larva. Larvae are usually only distinguished from adults by their size, but some species' larvae are not as developed as they will be when they become an adult. Adult Ctenophora's size and shape differ greatly between the different species.
This is an example of a bioluminescent Ctenophore.
|
This is an example of a Ctenophore.
|