Jellyfish are in the phylum Cnidaria and the class Scuphozoa. They have external fertilization.
"Most jellyfish pass through two different body forms during their life cycle. The first is the polyp stage; in this phase, the jellyfish takes the form of either a sessile stalk which catches passing food, or a similar free-floating configuration. The polyp's mouth and tentacles are facing upwards.
In the second stage, the jellyfish is known as a medusa. Medusae have a radially symmetric, umbrella-shaped body called a bell. The medusa's tentacles hang from the border of the bell. (Medusa is also the Spanish name for jellyfish).
Jellyfish are dioecious (that is, they are either male or female). In most cases, to reproduce, a male releases his sperm into the surrounding water. The sperm then swims into the mouth of the female jelly, allowing the fertilization of the ova process to begin. Moon jellies, however, use a different process: their eggs become lodged in pits on the oral arms, which form a temporary brood chamber to accommodate fertilization."
2007-06-28 19:22:05
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answer #1
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answered by kt 7
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Individual Jellyfish are either male or female. The eggs and sperm develop in special areas called Gonads inside the body wall. The gonads are frequently very colorful and add greatly to the beauty of the living Jellyfish. When all of the eggs and sperm are fully developed, they are released into the stomach and then through the mouth into the sea. Some of the eggs stick to the frilly mouth lips which surround the mouth of the Jellyfish. There they are fertilized by the sperm and continue to develop. As in all many-celled animals, the microscopic fertilized eggs begin a series of cell divisions which finally result in an embryo. However, the embryo does not develop directly into a baby jellyfish, but becomes a tiny, flattened creature called a Planula. The Planula, which is covered with rapidly beating hairlike cilia, is able to swim and may be carried a considerable distance by ocean currents during it's short swimming period, lasting from a few hours to several days. The tiny Planula then makes its way toward the sea bottom where it actively looks for a suitable place to attach itself. At this point, a remarkable series of events take place. The planula attaches to a rock, shell, pier pilling, or some hard underwater object and immediately begins to grow into a Polyp. The Polyp may continue to live for several years. During this time, it captures small shrimp-like organisms and other tiny marine animals for food. Furthermore, each Polyp produced from a Planula is able to reproduce new Polyps by a process called budding
2016-05-22 02:13:06
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answer #2
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answered by ? 3
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Yes they reproduce
2007-06-28 15:00:44
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answer #3
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answered by Katie 5
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Some are Asexual meaning they can make themselves pregnant. An other release sperm out into the water an it travels
2007-06-28 16:04:29
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answer #4
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answered by pixieprincess 3
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they sure do! if you look on the ventral side of a female jellyfish, you will notice a hole. it is this hole where the male jellyfish inserts his goodies!
ps. interesting fact: barnacles proportionally have the longest penises of any living species!!
2007-06-28 15:55:04
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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