Fine hydroid

Fine hydroid
fine hydroid with reproductive bodies
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Subphylum: Medusozoa
Class: Hydrozoa
Subclass: Hydroidolina
Order: Leptothecata
Superfamily: Plumularioidea
Family: Halopterididae
Genus: Corhiza
Species: C. scotiae
Binomial name
Corhiza scotiae
(Ritchie, 1907)

The fine hydroid, Corhiza scotiae, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.[1]

Description

Fine hydroids at Torch Reef, False Bay, with multicoloured sea fan Acabaria rubra

Fine hydroids grow in colonies of long stems with fine brown to black branches. The colonies may grow up to 33cm in height. The gonophores (reproductive bodies) look like small yellowish ovals, growing from the main stem of the colony.[2]

Distribution

This colonial animal is found off the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to East London in 18-120m under water. It is endemic to this region.[2]

Ecology

In this species, male and female forms live on separate colonies. Male gonophores are elongated and have blunt ends. Female gonophores bulge and have blunt lids. [2]

Synonym

The following species is considered a synonym of Corhiza scotiae:[1]

References

  1. 1 2 http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=289715 accessed 18 August 2013
  2. 1 2 3 Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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