Grey fan hydroid

Grey fan hydroid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Cnidaria
Subphylum: Medusozoa
Class: Hydrozoa
Subclass: Hydroidolina
Order: Anthoathecata
Suborder: Capitata
Family: Solanderiidae
Genus: Solanderia
Species: S. procumbens
Binomial name
Solanderia procumbens
(Carter, 1873)

The grey fan hydroid, Solanderia procumbens, is a large colonial hydroid in the family Solanderiidae.[1]

Description

The grey fan hydroid grows as a grey to dark brown fan-shaped colony that may be 40cm in total height. It has variable branching in a single plane. The main stem of old colonies can be quite thick and flattened in the plane of branching. Smaller branches are round in section. Hydranths are scattered irregularly on the stem and branches. [2]

Distribution

This colonial animal is found only around the South African coast from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal in 10-130m under water.[2]

Ecology

Gonophores (reproductive structures) are irregularly spaced on the branches and are rounded with short stalks.[2]

References

  1. http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=288714 accessed 12 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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