A cnidarian planula is a free-swimming or crawling larval form common to many species within the phylum Cnidaria, which includes creatures like jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones.
Characteristics of a Planula
Here's a breakdown of the planula's key features:
- Shape: Typically cylindrical or egg-shaped.
- Locomotion: It moves using numerous cilia – tiny, hairlike projections on its body.
Essentially, the planula represents an early stage in the life cycle of many cnidarians, facilitating dispersal and colonization of new areas.
