What are organisms in phylum Platyhelminthes commonly referred to as?

Organisms in phylum Platyhelminthes are commonly referred to as flatworms due to their distinct body shape. Flatworms have a flattened body plan, which is an adaptation that increases their surface area relative to their volume. This characteristic is significant for their mode of living, as it allows for more efficient diffusion of gases and nutrients through their thin body.

Flatworms are a diverse group that includes notable organisms such as planarians, tapeworms, and flukes. Their flat bodies also allow them to inhabit a variety of environments, both aquatic and terrestrial, and they are known for their simple body structure, which lacks a coelom (body cavity) and circulatory system.

This adaptation of having a flattened morphology is essential for their lifestyle, including their feeding, reproduction, and locomotion, differentiating them from organisms in other phyla, such as roundworms, sponges, and mollusks, which have distinct character traits and body structures.