Cnidaria () is a
phylum containing over 10,000
species of
animals found exclusively in aquatic (freshwater and marine) environments: they are predominantly
marine species. Their distinguishing feature is
cnidocytes, specialized cells that they use mainly for capturing prey. Their bodies consist of
mesoglea, a non-living jelly-like substance, sandwiched between two layers of
epithelium that are mostly one
cell thick. They have two basic body forms: swimming
medusae and
sessile polyps, both of which are radially symmetrical with mouths surrounded by tentacles that bear cnidocytes. Both forms have a single
orifice and body cavity that are used for digestion and
respiration. Many cnidarian species produce
colonies that are single organisms composed of medusa-like or polyp-like zooids (hence they are
trimorphic), or both. Cnidarians' activities are coordinated by a decentralized
nerve net and simple receptors. Several free-swimming
Cubozoa and
Scyphozoa possess balance-sensing
statocysts, and some have simple eyes. Not all cnidarians
reproduce sexually, with many species having complex life cycles of
asexual polyp stages and sexual medusae. Some, however, omit either the polyp or the medusa stage.