Cnidaria: Corals, Jellies, Anemones- Invertebrate Paleontology | GEO GIRL

Cnidaria (or Coelenterata) is a phylum of invertebrate animals that includes corals, jellies (jelly fish), and sea anemones. In this video, I go over cnidaria anatomy, structure, morphology (septa, tabulae, dissepiments, etc.) classification (Rugosa, Tabulata, Scleractinia) reproduction, ecology, reef evolution, and avenues for future research. I focus on corals as this is a paleontology video and corals are the most well preserved of the common cnidarians because they have a hard skeleton. Throughout Earth's history, corals have belonged to three major groups, Tabulate corals, Rugose corals and Scleractinians or Hexacorals. From the cambrian explosion at about 500 million years ago to the Permian extinction of "Great Dying" around 250 million years ago, Rugose and Tabulate corals were the only living groups, they went extinct at the End Permian Extinction and ever since then, Scleractinian corals have been the only major group and represent all modern corals. In terms of ecology, corals live in many environments, more than just the warm shallow water we are used to seeing them in. There are deep water corals too. I then go on to discuss the difference between hermatypic and ahermatypic corals and lastly, the effect of global warming on corals and what coral bleaching really means for the corals life. References: Prothero, D.R. (2013). Bringing Fossils to Life: An Introduction to Paleobiology. Third Edition. Chapter 13: Colonial Life: Sponges, Archaeocyathans, and Cnidarians. pp. 303-321. Columbia University Press. https://amzn.to/3kutMgs GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, and donate to support the channel if you'd like!) 0:00 What are cnidarians? 1:52 Cnidarian morphology 3:15 Cnidarian reproduction 4:53 Cnidarian classification 5:57 Tabulate corals 7:25 Rugose corals 9:47 Scleractinian (modern) corals 11:45 Cnidarian evolution 14:14 Cnidarian ecology 14:49 Hermatypic vs. ahermatypic corals 15:39 Coral bleaching & global warming effects Hey there, Earth enthusiast! Check my favorite Earth-friendly products: Bamboo toilet paper: https://shrsl.com/3cvku Bamboo paper towels: https://shrsl.com/3cvkw Compostable tableware: https://shrsl.com/3cvkz Compostable trash bags: https://shrsl.com/3cvl0 Bamboo cutlery + straw! : https://shrsl.com/3cwfl Eco-Friendly Tote (great for grocery shopping!): https://shrsl.com/3cwfp Reusable straws + cleaning brushes (my fav!): https://shrsl.com/3cwft Eco-friendly laundry detergent: https://shrsl.com/3cwgo Directly offset your carbon footprint with Wren: https://shrsl.com/3d0t2 (Just click link, press get started, take the free C footprint quiz, then choose how much you want to reduce your footprint by donating to the C sequestration projects they're funding!) Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1Nhke Tools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJf Geology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MA Geological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLu Geological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5 Camera: https://amzn.to/3l6fGRT Image sources: https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife... https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/je... https://pacificraya.wordpress.com/201... https://www.biologyjunction.com/spong... https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/museums/2014/... https://www.chegg.com/flashcards/phyl... http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2017/04/... https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeol... http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.p... https://www.fossilera.com/fossils/3-9... https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife... https://scubadiverlife.com/coral-biol... https://www.bioexpedition.com/parrot-... http://ourmarinespecies.com/c-other-s... https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernied... https://fossillady.wordpress.com/tag/... Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!