Tentaculata 570813 194277802 2008-02-26T22:43:31Z Mgiganteus1 808022 removed space {{Taxobox | name = Tentaculata | image = LightRefractsOf comb-rows of ctenophore Mertensia ovum.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = ''[[Mertensia ovum]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Ctenophora]] | classis = '''Tentaculata''' | classis_authority = [[Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz|Eschscholtz]], 1825 | subdivision_ranks = Orders | subdivision = [[Cestida]]<br> [[Cydippida]]<br> [[Lobata]]<br> [[Platyctenida]] }} '''Tentaculata''' is a class of [[comb jelly|comb jellies]]. The common feature of this class is a pair of long, feathery, contractile [[tentacle]]s, which can be retracted into specialised [[cilium|ciliated]] sheaths. In some species, the primary tentacles are reduced and they have smaller, secondary tentacles. The tentacles have [[colloblast]]s, which are sticky-tipped cells that trap small prey. Body size and shape varies widely. The group includes the small, oval [[sea gooseberry|sea gooseberries]] (genus ''[[Pleurobrachia]]''), found on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The more flattened species of the genus ''[[Mnemiopsis]]'', about 4&nbsp;[[inch]]es long (10&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]]), are common on the upper Atlantic coast; it has a large mouth and mainly feeds on larval [[mollusc]]s and [[copepod]]s. This species is brilliantly [[bioluminescence|luminescent]]. The similar, but larger, genus ''[[Leucothea]]'' is abundant on the Pacific coast. [[Venus' girdle]] (genus ''[[Cestum]]'') is a flattened, ribbon-like form reaching over 3&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length)|feet]] (90&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]]) in length, and found in tropical waters. ==References== Barnes, R.S.K. et al (2001). ''The Invertebrates: A Synthesis''. Oxford: Blackwell Science. ISBN 0-632-04761-5 {{ctenophore-stub}} [[Category:Ctenophores]] [[de:Tentaculata]] [[es:Tentaculata]] [[fr:Tentaculata]] [[lt:Čiuopikliniai šukuočiai]] [[pt:Tentaculata]] [[sk:Chytadlovce]] [[vi:Sứa lược có tua]]