The phylum Cycliophora was discovered in 1995. They are tiny organisms that live in large numbers on the outsides of the mouthparts and appendages of lobsters. The feeding stage permanently attaches to the lobster via an adhesive disk and collects scraps of food from its host's feeding by capturing the scraps in a current created by a ring of cilia. The body is saclike and has a U-shaped intestine that brings the anus close to the mouth. Cycliophorans are coelomates, do not moult (though their host does), and their embryos undergo spiral cleavage.
-Which of these, if discovered among cycliophorans, would cause the most confusion concerning our current understanding of cycliophoran taxonomy?
A) if the ciliated feeding ring is a lophophore
B) if embryos are diploblastic
C) if the body cavity is actually a pseudocoelom
D) if the organisms show little apparent cephalisation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cycliophorans are known to be coelomates and their embryos undergo spiral cleavage, which is characteristic of triploblastic organisms. If embryos were discovered to be diploblastic, it would cause confusion as it would contradict our current understanding of cycliophoran taxonomy. The other options listed are not as significant in terms of contradicting established characteristics of cycliophorans.

The Phylum Cycliophora Was Discovered in 1995