What is the Difference Between Schizocoelous and Enterocoelous?

The main difference between schizocoelous and enterocoelous lies in the way the coelom, a fluid-filled body cavity, is formed during embryonic development. Schizocoelous animals, which belong to the protostomes group (e.g., Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda), develop their coelom by splitting the mesodermal embryonic tissue. In contrast, enterocoelous animals, which belong to the deuterostomes group (e.g., Echinodermata, Chordata, and Hemichordata), form their coelom through pouches formed by the digestive tract.

Similarities between schizocoelous and enterocoelous include:

• Both are forms of embryonic development.
• Both processes are initiated after the gastrula development.
• Both processes lead to the formation of the true coelom.
• Both processes require the formation of the mesoderm via the interaction between the ectoderm and endoderm.

Differences between schizocoelous and enterocoelous include:

• Schizocoelous animals develop their coelom by splitting the mesoderm.
• Enterocoelous animals form their coelom through pouches formed by the digestive tract.
• The cleavage of schizocoelous animals is spiral and determinate, while the cleavage of enterocoelous animals is radial and indeterminate.
• Schizocoelous animals are protostomes, while enterocoelous animals are deuterostomes.

Comparative Table: Schizocoelous vs Enterocoelous

The difference between schizocoelous and enterocoelous lies in the manner in which their embryo development takes place, specifically in the formation of the coelom, a body cavity within animals. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two:

These developmental processes share some similarities, such as both being initiated after the gastrula development and leading to the formation of the true coelom.