Question

Larvae of phylum coelenterata in detail

Answer 1

$\huge{\sf{Indirect \ Development}}$

• Larvae are a consequence of indirect development in organisms. By indirect I mean,there are intermediate forms of life during the transition from embryo to feotus

• They show alternation of generations in the of form of polyp and medusa

Polyp

• They are sessile and cylindrical

• Mouth and tentacles are upwards

• They are asexually reproducing forms of cnidarians

• They multiple by the process of budding

• They give rise to medusa

Medusa

• They are free swimming

• Mouth and tentacles are downwards

• They are sexually reproducuing cnidarians

• They give rise to polyp

Examples,

• Cnidarians like obelia occur as both polyp and medusa

• Hydra only occur as polyp

• Aurelia only occur as medusa