Scribd
Upload
54 views

Phylum Chaetognatha: Marylyn Inducil Alizza Yvette Memita

Chaetognatha are a phylum of small marine animals known as arrow worms. They have elongated, bilateral symmetrical bodies divided into three sections - head, trunk, and tail. Arrow worms are predatory carnivores that use head spines to capture crustaceans and fish larvae as prey. They reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites, with internal fertilization and either depositing fertilized eggs on the seafloor or releasing them into the ocean. Locomotion involves alternating between swimming and floating aided by lateral fins along the body and tail.

Uploaded by

Ethyl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
54 views

Phylum Chaetognatha: Marylyn Inducil Alizza Yvette Memita

Chaetognatha are a phylum of small marine animals known as arrow worms. They have elongated, bilateral symmetrical bodies divided into three sections - head, trunk, and tail. Arrow worms are predatory carnivores that use head spines to capture crustaceans and fish larvae as prey. They reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites, with internal fertilization and either depositing fertilized eggs on the seafloor or releasing them into the ocean. Locomotion involves alternating between swimming and floating aided by lateral fins along the body and tail.

Uploaded by

Ethyl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

Phylum Chaetognatha

MARYLYN INDUCIL
ALIZZA YVETTE MEMITA
CHAETOGNATHA

o The name Chaetognatha ( ke-tog-na-


tha) comes from the greek word
(Chaite- long flowing hair + Gnathos-
jaws)
o may be found in marine and some
estuarine environments
- 20% live above the ocean
o contains nearly 200 species of mostly
planktonic bilaterally symmetrical,
coelomate, worm-like organisms.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

o Chaetognatha means Bristle-jaws


o Known as “arrow worms”
o Coelomate animals relatively small size (1 mm to 12 cm in
length) , with straight, slender body
o They are usually colorless, slightly opaque.
o Body divide- HEAD, TRUNK, TAIL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

o No Respiratory and Circulatory system


o Eyes with photoreceptive cells
o hermaphroditic, and may undergo reciprocal,
nonreciprocal, or self-fertilization.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Class
1. Archisagittoidea

2. Sagittoidea
Two Orders: Phargmophora and Aphragmophora
o main difference between the two is the
presence of ventral transverse muscle bands
in Phragmophora, which are absent
in Aphragmophora.
DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS
o Chitinous grasping spines
on both sides of the head,
for seizing prey
Lateral stabilizing fins
• Fins on both tail and body,
Trunk with one or two pair
of lateral fins similar to fin
rays (not homologous)
MODE OF NUTRITION

o Carnivorous predators
o Eats large number of copepods,
larval fish, crustaceans,
swallowing them whole
o Large spines around their
mouth helps in grabing and
restraining their prey and
immobilizing them with
neurotoxins
REPRODUCTION
o Hermaphrodites
- Ovaries
located behind the mid-
body mark (trunk)
- The testis are
in the tail
o Fertilization is
internal and
depending on the
species, fertilized
eggs may be
deposited on the
seafloor, or released
into the ocean
LOCOMOTION

o Their torpedo-like body shape allows them to move


quickly
o Chaetognatha alternate between swimming and floating
o Fins along their body is used for floating
o They usually swim to the surface at night and descend
during daytime
CLASSIFICATION

o Chaetognatha are traditionally classes by an Embyrologist


(Margulis and Schwartz) as Deuterostome because of
some embryological characters
o and by Phylogenists (Thomas Cavalier Smith) as
Protostome because molecular works suggest that it is a
Protostome
o Currently not considered to be part of either group.
Summary

Symmetry Bilateral
Body Cavity Coelomate
Body Sections Head, Trunk, Tail
Nervous System Circum- pharyngeal ganglionated
ring

Circulatory System No Circulatory System


Respiratory System No Respiratory System
Excretory System No Excretory System
Digestive System Complete Digestive System

Reproduction Normally sexual and


Hermaphroditic

You might also like