Which one of the following coelenterate is also called the Portuguese man of war?

Correct answer: D. Physalis

  • A. Hydra
  • B. Velella
  • C. Obelia
  • D. Physalis

Explanation

The correct option is Physalis. The Portuguese man o' war is not a single organism but a colonial organism known as Physalia physalis, commonly referred to as the Portuguese man o' war. It belongs to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes coelenterates. Let's briefly discuss the other options as well: Hydra: Hydras are small, freshwater coelenterates belonging to the genus Hydra. They are solitary organisms and are not commonly associated with the name "Portuguese man o' war." Velella: Velella, also known as "by-the-wind sailors" or "sea raft," are oceanic coelenterates. They are free-floating colonies of specialized individuals and have a sail-like structure that allows them to drift on the surface of the water. Although they share some similarities with the Portuguese man o' war in terms of their floating nature, they are distinct organisms. Obelia: Obelia is a genus of hydrozoans, which are coelenterates that are typically found in marine environments. They form branching colonies and have both polyps and medusae in their life cycle. Obelia species are not commonly referred to as Portuguese man o' war. To summarize, Physalis, specifically Physalia physalis, is the correct option for the coelenterate that is commonly known as the Portuguese man o' war.

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About Kingdom Animalia

Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes whose cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts, with specialised tissues in most groups. Coverage includes body symmetry, tissue layers, coelom, segmentation and levels of organisation, plus major phyla such as Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and Chordata.

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