What are colentarates?

Colentarates are a type of ancient marine organisms that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. They are characterized by their radial symmetry and the presence of specialized cells called cnidocytes, which contain stinging structures used for capturing prey and defense. Colentarates typically exhibit a polyp or medusa body form and play significant roles in marine ecosystems, particularly in coral reef formation. Their evolutionary history spans hundreds of millions of years, making them one of the oldest groups of animals on Earth.