An animal is observed to have bilateral symmetry and three embryonic germ layers. However, it completely lacks any cavity between the body wall and the gut. Based on these characteristics, to which of the following phyla does this animal belong?

Step-by-step solution

The animal described is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic (having three embryonic germ layers), and acoelomate (lacking a body cavity between the body wall and the gut). According to NCERT, members of the phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms) are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and acoelomate animals. Aschelminthes are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic, but they are pseudocoelomates. Ctenophora are radially symmetrical and diploblastic. Annelida are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic, but t