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Hong Kong Corals & the Associated Marine Life
> Other marine organisms
Taxonomic group ctenophora is relatively small, containing 100 or so species. Most of them are transparent and pelagic. Although superficially resembling jellyfish, ctenophores have a different body structure and form.
The common name "comb jelly" refers to eight rows of the transverse ciliary combs. The fused cilia diffract light and hence account for the iridescence seen in the photo. Most of the ctenophores have tentacles armed with adhesive cells (colloblasts) which aid in capturing prey from the surrounding water. Those species that lack large tentacles can capture the prey by enveloping them, much as we capture fish with a plastic bag.
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