What is the Radiata?
Q: What is the Radiata?
A: The Radiata is a superphylum which includes both the echinoderms and the ctenophores. It is not part of the usual classification system, and is not used by all biologists.
Q: What type of symmetry do echinoderms exhibit?
A: Echinoderms exhibit bilateral symmetry in their developing stages, although their radial symmetry is secondary.
Q: Who defined a subkingdom called Radiata?
A: Thomas Cavalier-Smith in 1983 defined a subkingdom called Radiata consisting of the phyla Porifera, Myxozoa, Placozoa, Cnidaria and Ctenophora in Radiata.
Q: Does Cladistic classification recognize Radiata as a clade?
A: No, Cladistic classifications do not recognize Radiata as a clade.
Q: How many primary germ layers does radiates have?
A: Radiates have two primary germ layers - endoderm and ectoderm.
Q: Are there any cnidarians that are bilaterally symmetric?
A: Yes, some members of the class Anthozoa are actually bilaterally symmetric while others show radial symmetry secondarily. Additionally, free-swimming planula larvae of cnidarians also exhibit bilateral symmetry.
Q: What type of symmetry do ctenophores show?
A: Ctenophores show biradial symmetry.
