Question

Which one among the following belongs to Anthozoa?
(a) Dugesia
(b) Fungia
(c) Aurelia
(d) Sterularia

Answer 1

Hint: Phylum Coelenterata is a radially symmetrical, diploblastic, and multicellular organism with a tissue grade of organization. It is divided into three classes based on their body forms including Anthozoa. The one belonging to this class is also known as mushroom coral.

Complete answer:
Coelenterates are aquatic with habitats ranging from freshwater to marine. They may exist in solitary forms or among its kinds and forming colonies. They may be free-swimming or sedentary. Two types of body forms exist in coelenterates-polyps or polyploid and medusae or medusoid. Polyps are sessile forms of these animals who can reproduce sexually as well as asexually while medusae are free-living and can only reproduce sexually. The three classes are Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, and Anthozoa.
The class Anthozoa exhibits only polypoid body form. Medusa form is absent. E.g. Fungia or mushroom coral.
- Aurelia belongs to the class Scyphozoa. They exhibit only Medusoid forms.
- Dugesia is also known as Planaria. It is a member of the class Turbellaria of Phylum Platyhelminthes. They are mostly free-living flatworms. And found in slow- moving streams or freshwater ponds. They have a great regeneration power to recover its lost part or to reproduce.
-sertularia belongs to the class of Hydrozoa. This class is represented by members who can exhibit both the polyp and medusa forms. E.g Obelia.

So, the correct answer is ‘Fungia.’

Note:
- The body of coelenterates has a mouth at the oral end which leads into a spacious gastrovascular cavity referred to as coelenteron.
- Long hollow structures 'tentacles are also present at its oral end which helps the organism to locomote as well as catch food.
- Their peculiar feature is the presence of stinging organs, commonly known as cnidoblasts or nematoblasts. They are located abundantly near or on the tentacles and aid in offense or defense.