Question

What is the common name of Ctenoplana?

Answer 1

Hint: It is the only existing genus found in the family of Ctenoplanidae. The word ctenophore comes from the ancient Greek words ‘kteis’ which means ‘comb’ and ‘phero’ which means ‘to carry’.

Complete answer:
Ctenoplana is the only genus that exists presently in the Ctenoplanidae family. Ctenoplanidae further comes under the order Platyctenida which consists of the benthic organisms of the phylum Ctenophora. The phylum Ctenophora includes jelly-like organisms called comb jellies.

Some of these organisms are benthic, i.e. live at the bed of the ocean. They thrive on rocks, algae, soft corals, and bodies of other benthic organisms. The other variety includes a floating kind, which floats deep inside the ocean or even at the surface. They generally have tentacles and are referred to as Tentaculata.

These floating organisms resemble the jellyfish. They have a soft jelly-like body (which is generally transparent) and have tentacles for movement and nutrition. In contrast to the jellyfish, Ctenoplana has projections on its outer surface which resemble the teeth on a comb. It is due to these characteristic projections that they are known as ‘comb jellies’.

Therefore, the common name of Ctenoplana is Comb Jelly.

Note: Another special characteristic of these organisms is their ability to emit light. Most of these organisms live deep inside the ocean where the sunlight is unable to penetrate. At those depths, most organisms develop a unique feature where through chemical reactions in their bodies, they are able to produce light. This phenomenon is known as bioluminescence.