Largest ciliated animals

The largest ciliated animals are the ctenophores ("comb bearers") or comb jellies, primitive marine invertebrates of global distribution. They derive their scientific and common name from their unique plates of giant fused cilia, known as combs or ctenes, which are usually arranged in eight rows along these animals' gelatinous bodies, and propel them through the water. The longest comb jelly is a flattened, ribbon-like species known as Venus's girdle (Cestum veneris), which can measure up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) long.

In addition to locomotion, comb jellies use cilia for a variety of other functions. Their statocysts, which orient them in relation to the direction of gravity, contain mechanosensory motile cilia. Some species utilize ciliated auricles to capture and ingest prey. And one genus contains species that employ giant smooth muscles working with toothed macrocilia to rapidly engulf or bite through prey.