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The term coelenterate ( pronounced as "silentarete") is no longer recognized as scientifically valid, as the Cnidaria and Ctenophora are placed at equal rank under the Metazoa with the other phyla of animals. Cnidaria means "to sting" A single term encompassing these two phyla but leaving out all others of equal rank would be considered paraphyletic. Nonetheless, the term coelenterate is still used in informal settings to refer to the Cnidaria and Ctenophora.

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12y ago

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