Phylum Platyhelminthes

 

This is the phylum of flatworms!

Characteristics include: 

They are acoelomate (they have no body cavity), triploblastic (the body has threetissue layers), and bilaterally symmetric (they have symmetric right and left sides and usually a definite head)

They have organ systems, including an excretory, digestive system etc [60] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know...?

They have a mouth but no anus.

They mostly reproduce sexually as hermaphrodites

Some species are parasites of other organisms [8]

 

One example of a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes is Turbellarians.

 

 

Basic characteristics of Turbellarians include bilateral symmetry, unsegmented bodies, and being acoelomates , which means they do not have a body cavity. [60]

 

Their bodies are solid because all the space around their digestive cavity is filled with muscle and other tissue. [59]

 

These reproduce by binary fission and regeneration. [59]

 

They feed on both dead and living material! So, some species who feed on dead material are considered decomposers, or detritivores. [59]

 

 

 

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