Hoilungia
Hoilungia hongkongensis is a species in the phylum Placozoa. The organism appears superficially similar to "Trichoplax adhaerens", but genetic analysis of its mitochondrial DNA shows numerous differences. It was discovered in brackish water from mangrove swamps in Hong Kong. These organisms are generally found in the biofilm surfaces in tropical and subtropical environments. Phylogenetically, they are placed closest to cnidarians. They are diploblastic animals and are believed to have dorso-ventral polarity along top and bottom body layers. Their body is overtly similar to oral-aboral axis of cnidarians. They feed from lower tissue layer which has various peptidergic gland cells. They feed on algae, bacteria, yeast and other byproducts of bilfilms. They reproduce asexually through binary fission and there is also some evidence of sexual reproduction. The Hoilungia hongkongensis genome adds support to the phylogenetic placement of the Placozoa in the animal tree of life
Q38348
phylum
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Q131040
Placozoa
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Q9064643
Trichoplax adhaerens
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Q27075
mitochondrial DNA
MISC
Q25441
cnidarian
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Q61872719
Hoilungia
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Q61872719
Hoilungia
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taxon rank