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Difference Between Octopus and Jellyfish

March 31, 2015Posted byYashoda

Octopus vs Jellyfish

The difference between octopus and jellyfish can be explained in terms of their anatomy and physiology. Octopus and jellyfish areaquaticinvertebrates。Because of the different anatomy and physiology of these two organisms, they are categorized under different phyla. Octopus is categorized under PhylumMolluscawhile Jellyfish is categorized under PhylumCnidaria。The main similar feature of octopus and jelly fish is the presence of soft body. In addition, both organisms arecarnivoresand have very primitive body structures without advanced organ systems like in vertebrates. Except for the few similar features that they share, the octopus and jelly fish are two different organisms with different anatomy and physiology. Let us look at those specific features that differentiates one from the other here in detail.

What is Octopus?

Octopus iscategorized under Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopodaand is found in oceans throughout the world. Other than octopus,squidsand nautiluses are also considered as cephalopods. Octopuses arepredatorsand haveclosed circulatory systems, which is unique to Cephalopods. In addition, they have a relatively large brain and highly developed nervous system. Their foot is modified into eight arms with adhesive structures or suction cups that are used to capture the prey. After capturing the prey with their arms, they bite the prey with their strong, beak-like jaws.

When octopuses are threatened, they expel a dark cloudy liquid, which helps them to avoid and confuse predators. Unlike the other mollusks (except squid), some octopuses are capable of changing their skin color and texture to blend with the background or to communicate with other octopuses.

Difference Between Octopus and Jellyfish

What is Jellyfish?

Jellyfish isanacoelomatewith very primitive body structureand is found in coastal waters in tropical and temperate seas. Theybelong toPhylum Cnidaria, which also include hydroids,corals, and sea anemones. Cnidarians have two body forms;polyp and medusa。一些物种发生只有当息肉,而一些啊ccur only as medusa. But most species have both these form s in their life cycle. Jellyfish showsradial symmetryand the body has tissues, but no organs. Medusa form resembles the jellyfish. Class Scyphozoa, Class Cubozoa, and Class Staurozoa are mainly composed of various jellyfish species.

There are about 300 species of jellyfish in the world. Thebox jellyfish is the largestand considered as one of the deadliest organisms on earth. Jellyfish is carnivorous and feed on smallplanktonsand fish. These creatures have incomplete digestive system, where mouth opens into a simple digestive sac. Mouth opening is surrounded by tentacles armed withnematocysts, which are used to kill their prey.

Octopus vs Jellyfish

What is the difference between Octopus and Jellyfish?

• Phylum:

• Octopus belongs to Phylum Mollusca.

• Jellyfish belongs to Phylum Cnidaria.

• Presence of Coelom:

• Octopus is coelomates (True coelom is present).

• Jellyfish is acoelomates (True coelom is absent).

• Digestive system:

• Octopus has complete digestive tract with both mouth and anus.

• Jellyfish has incomplete digestive tract with only mouth.

• Nervous system:

• Octopus has a large brain and well-developed nervous system.

•水母有一个非常原始的神经网络。

• Presence of nematocysts:

• Jellyfish has nematocysts; a specialized cell.

• Octopus has no nematocysts.

• Presence of tentacles:

• Octopus has eight tentacles with suction pads to capture prey.

• Jellyfish has few tentacles around its mouth with nematocysts to capture prey.

• Circulatory system:

• Closed circulatory system is present in octopus.

• No circulatory system is found in jellyfish.

• Eyes:

• Octopus has well-developed eyes.

• No eyes are found in jellyfish.

• Muscles and a jaw:

• Muscles and a jaw are found in an octopus.

• Muscles and a jaw are not found in a jellyfish.

Images Courtesy:

  1. Octopusby DreamOfShadows (CC BY 2.0)
  2. JellyfishbyAnastasia Shesterinina(CC BY-SA 3.0)

Related posts:

Difference Between Squid and Octopus Difference Between Octopus and Calamari Difference Between Angus and Hereford Difference Between Male and Female Turtles Difference Between Pig and Hog

Filed Under:AnimalsTagged With:jellyfish,Jellyfish anatomy,jellyfish and octopus,jellyfish definition,Jellyfish features,Jellyfish physiology,octopus,Octopus anatomy,Octopus and Jellyfish difference,octopus definition,Octopus features,Octopus physiology

About the Author:Yashoda

Yashoda Ramyajith Somarathna holds a B.Sc. degree in Applied Science and M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry and is a Research Officer in the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.

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