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Description
Here's the ancestral life cycle of phylum Intestinopsa, a.k.a. the chipworms!

The intestinopsans are a diverse and widespread phylum of maxivitans on the exoplanet Cerberus. They exhibit alternation of generations - there is a radial life stage known as the medusa (which may live on the surface of sediments or be planktonic, and is asexual), and a bilaterally-symmetrical life stage known as the dolicha (which are more active, having more carnivorous diets, and reproduce sexually).

The medusae of many intestinopsans (especially those which dwell on or in the sediment) may be easily confused with the medusa stage of the phylum Neoradiata, as they often share similar niches and lifestyles. However, these neoradiates can be distinguished by the presence of a tougher external shell, sensory tentacles, and the use of muscular feet for movement (whereas intestinopsan medusae move through a ciliated ventral epithelium and mucus).

All life stages lack an internal digestive system. Instead, feeding occurs externally. In medusae, the ventral epithelium digests organic matter from beneath the organism with a combination of excreted enzymes and phagocytic cells. Medusae may consume detritus, algal mats, macroalgae, scavenge, or be carnivores of smaller, slow-moving or sessile maxivitans. The dolicha life stage of intestinopsans are almost primarily carnivorous, using their long palps to locate and entrap prey items. These palps then flatten and engulf their prey, before excreting enzymes to kill and digest their food.

Chipworms are common throughout every habitable band. Most species are aquatic (especially marine), however they are commonly present within moist environments in terrestrial ecosystems. Many species are parasitic, though most are free-living.

Description
Here's the ancestral life cycle of phylum Intestinopsa, a.k.a. the chipworms!

The intestinopsans are a diverse and widespread phylum of maxivitans on the exoplanet Cerberus. They exhibit alternation of generations - there is a radial life stage known as the medusa (which may live on the surface of sediments or be planktonic, and is asexual), and a bilaterally-symmetrical life stage known as the dolicha (which are more active, having more carnivorous diets, and reproduce sexually).

The medusae of many intestinopsans (especially those which dwell on or in the sediment) may be easily confused with the medusa stage of the phylum Neoradiata, as they often share similar niches and lifestyles. However, these neoradiates can be distinguished by the presence of a tougher external shell, sensory tentacles, and the use of muscular feet for movement (whereas intestinopsan medusae move through a ciliated ventral epithelium and mucus).

All life stages lack an internal digestive system. Instead, feeding occurs externally. In medusae, the ventral epithelium digests organic matter from beneath the organism with a combination of excreted enzymes and phagocytic cells. Medusae may consume detritus, algal mats, macroalgae, scavenge, or be carnivores of smaller, slow-moving or sessile maxivitans. The dolicha life stage of intestinopsans are almost primarily carnivorous, using their long palps to locate and entrap prey items. These palps then flatten and engulf their prey, before excreting enzymes to kill and digest their food.

Chipworms are common throughout every habitable band. Most species are aquatic (especially marine), however they are commonly present within moist environments in terrestrial ecosystems. Many species are parasitic, though most are free-living.