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Ctenophores are mainly composed of inert mesoglea , which causes them to have a low rate of metabolic activity. Many species have bioluminescence. The name comb jelly comes from eight "comb rows" of fused cilia, called ctenes, that are arranged laterally along the sides of the animal and used primarily for locomotion. The ctenes of the ctenophores gives rise to a rainbow like effect, this is caused by scattering of light due to the beating of cilia and not because of bioluminescence. The Ctenophores are hermaphroditic, and some species can reproduce asexually. Most ctenophores have two long tentacles, but some lack tentacles completely. The tentacles have adhesive structures called colloblast s or lasso cells. These cells burst open when prey comes in contact with the tentacle, sticky threads released from each of the colloblasts will then capture the food. Some species have their entire bodysurface covered with sticky mucus that captures prey. There are about 100 modern species of these marine animals. One of the most familiar genus of Ctenophore is MnemiopsisMnemiopsis is a genus of ctenophores (comb jellies). The body is oval shaped and transparent, with four rows of ciliated combs that run along the body vertically and glow green when disturbed at night. They have several feeding tentacles. Mnemiopsis don't. Due to their soft and fragile bodies, the fossil record for comb jellies is poor. A possible Ctenophore is known from the Middle CambrianThe Cambrian is a major division of the geologic timescale that begins about 542 million years before the present (BP) at the end of the Proterozoic eon and ended about 490 million years BP with the beginning of the Ordovician period. It is the first peri.

External links

• Introduction to Ctenophora