Ctenophora (phylum)

Phylum of numerous marine invertebrates characterized by a series of vertical ciliary combs over the surface of the animal. Most species float through the water, although a few creep or are parasitic. Refers to solitary, hermaphroditic, marine invertebrates of the phylum Ctenophora, found worldwide, having an ovoid, gelatinous, bilaterally symmetical body with regular, comblike rows of beating cilia for propulsion, and two trailing tentacles with adbesive cells to trap planktoon.