* The first part is the Ectoderm, the outer covering which includes the nervous system

* The Mesoderm is the second layer, which is the skeleton, or muscles of the orgamism

* The last layer is the endoderm, which consists of the digestive tube and other organs

** All have unique stinging cells called cnidocytes **

* The cnidocytes contain nematocysts that spear and paralyze their prey

*** Although most Cnidarians are harmless to humans, some species can deliver paralyzing or deadly amounts of neurotoxins from their cnidocytes ***

Hydrozoans

Anthozoans

Scyphozoans

Cnidaria Research Institute

Odessea: Cnidaria

University of Michigan Phylum Cnidaria Page

CNIDARIA WWW Server

The Coral Reef Research Institute

Curator: Beth Jewell, beth.jewell@fcps.edu