What Are Polyps and Medusa

polyp and medusa, names for the two body forms, one nonmotile and one typically free swimming, found in the aquatic invertebrate phylum Cnidaria (the coelenterates). Some animals of this group are always polyps, some are always medusae, and some exhibit both a polyp and a medusa stage in their life cycle.

What is meant by polyp and medusa?

Polyp is a sessile life cycle stage of species who belong to phylum cnidaria. Famous examples of polyp are sea anemones and adult corals. … Medusa is a life cycle stage of the species who belongs to cnidaria phylum. One of the most common examples of species having a medusa life cycle is Hydrozoa or jellyfish.

How are polyps and medusa difference?

Polyp are sessile while medusa are mobile. Polyp present a tubular shape with the mouth facing the water upwards,while medusa present a bell shape with the mouth facing the water downwards. Polyp do not have a manubrium, while medusa of the class Hydrozoa present a tube hanging down from the bell known as manubrium.