medúzaforma

Medúzaforma is a term used to describe organisms that exhibit a jellyfish-like form. This morphology is characterized by a bell-shaped or umbrella-shaped body, typically with trailing tentacles. These organisms are often free-swimming, relying on currents or their own pulsations for movement. The medúzaforma body plan is most commonly associated with cnidarians, a phylum that includes true jellyfish. However, the term can also be applied to other groups of marine invertebrates that have evolved a similar body structure independently, a phenomenon known as convergent evolution.

The medúzaforma stage, also known as the medusa, is one of the two main life stages in the life cycle of many cnidarians, the other being the polyp. The medusa is the sexually reproductive stage, producing gametes that fuse to form a zygote. This zygote develops into a larval form, which eventually settles and transforms into a polyp. The polyp then asexually reproduces to create new medusae. Not all cnidarians possess both stages; some have lost the medusa stage, while others have a dominant medusa that reproduces asexually. The specific characteristics of the medúzaforma can vary significantly between species, influencing their feeding habits, locomotion, and ecological roles.