Cnidaria

/naɪˈdɛəriə/ noun

Definition

A phylum of aquatic animals including jellyfish, sea anemones, corals, and hydra that use stinging cells to capture food.

Etymology

Modern scientific Latin coined from Greek knide (sting) + -aria (denoting a group). Named specifically for the defining characteristic—cnidae—that distinguishes this animal group.

Kelly Says

Cnidarians have been stinging things for 600 million years, making them one of nature's oldest and most successful hunters!

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