The morphological gaps that, by definition, separate phyla, remain inviolate.

It was broken down into two separate phyla: the Cnidaria (jellyfish) and the Ctenophora (comb jellies).

(Porifera may eventually be broken up into separate phyla)

Hence the two groups are now widely regarded as separate phyla, and the name "Bryozoa" is now synonymous with "Ectoprocta".

Cnidarians were for a long time grouped with Ctenophores in the phylum Coelenterata, but increasing awareness of their differences caused them to be placed in separate phyla.

Increasing awareness of the differences persuaded more recent authors to classify them in separate phyla.

Some fifteen to twenty Burgess species cannot be allied with any known group, and should probably be classified as separate phyla.

The Pogonophora and Vestimentifera were once considered separate phyla, but are now classified in the polychaete family Siboglinidae.

In addition, the Pogonophora, Echiura and Sipuncula, previously regarded as separate phyla, are now regarded as sub-groups of polychaetes.

Or they could be examples 'of convergence, in which species from separate phyla had come to the same forms through functional necessity.