Class of multicellular, mainly marine animals with cells arranged in two layers, the epidermis and the gastrodermis (endodermis), separated by a gelatinous mesogloea. These enclose a continuous digestive cavity (coelenteron), which communicates directly with the exterior by a single aperture (mouth) and is lined by a gastrodermis. The gastrodermis lacks nematocysts. Hydrozoa are Lower Cambrian to Recent. See also milleporina; stylasterina.