In the phylum Cnidaria, which includes jellyfish and sea anemones, polyp and medusa are two different stages of the life cycle. In some species, these two stages alternate between each other, such as in Hydrozoa. Jellyfish, on the other hand, exhibit only the medusa stage, while members of the genus Hydra exhibit the polyp form. Read on to explore more differences between Polyp and Medusa.
Difference Between Medusa and Polyp |
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Polyps are sessile |
Medusae are mobile |
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Polyps possess a tubular shape |
Medusa has a bell-shaped body |
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The mouth of polyps faces the water upwards |
Medusa have their mouths facing the water downwards |
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Absent in polyps |
Present in medusae |
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Absent in polyps |
Photoreceptors and statocyst are present in medusae |
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Can reproduce sexually as well as asexually |
Exclusively sexual reproduction |
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Polyps can give rise to more polyps as well as medusae through budding |
Medusae can only give rise to medusae |
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Polyps are a relatively primitive form of cnidarians |
Medusae are much more evolved and complex form of cnidarians |
- More Difference Between
- Jellyfish Life Cycle: Introduction, Life Cycle, FAQs
- Phylum Coelenterata- Characteristics And Classification
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