(Munkholmen -
The Trondheim fjord / 4.01.2001 / 29 meters)
(Munkholmen -
The Trondheim fjord / 4.01.2001 / 29 meters)
Phylum: Cnidaria
Norwegian: nesledyr
Most people with interest in marine fauna are familiar with cnidarians like jellyfishes, corals and anemones. In fact the lions mane jellyfish is the most frequently visited page on this website.
Cnidarians are simple animals. Most of them utilize a poison to paralyze their prey or to defend themselves. The have one body opening for most purposes - water, food and feces.
Among cnidarians both sexual and asexual reproduction are known. Sexual reproduction secure genetic variation, while asexual reproduction spreads healthy genotypes in huge numbers.