| Characteristic | Porifera | Coelenterata (Cnidarians) | Ctenophora | Platyhelminthes (Flatworms) | Aschelminthes (Roundworms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symmetry | Asymmetrical (lack of) | Radial symmetry | Radial symmetry | Bilateral symmetry | Bilateral symmetry |
| Germ Layers | None (lack true tissues) | Two germ layers (diploblastic) | Two germ layers (diploblastic) | Three germ layers (triploblastic) | Three germ layers (triploblastic) |
| Body Plan | Simple, lack true tissues/organs | Simple, central body cavity (gastrovascular cavity) | Gelatinous, unique ciliary combs | Flattened, often parasitic, simple digestive system | Cylindrical body, tough cuticle, diverse lifestyles |
| Nervous System | Lack a true nervous system | Simple nerve net and nerve cells | Simple nervous system | Primitive nervous system with ganglia | More developed nervous system with ganglia and nerve cords |
| Special Structures | Choanocytes for filter-feeding | Cnidocytes with nematocysts | Comb rows for locomotion | Some are parasitic with specialized adaptations | Tough cuticle, diverse reproductive strategies |
| Habitat and Lifestyles | Mostly aquatic, sessile filter feeders | Mostly marine, sessile and free-swimming species | Marine, planktonic, free-swimming | Aquatic and terrestrial, free-living and parasitic forms | Various environments, including soil, aquatic habitats, and parasites |
| Complexity | Simplest and least complex | Simple with radial symmetry | Simple with unique ciliary structures | More complex, bilateral symmetry | More complex, bilateral symmetry |
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