Campanulariidae

Campanulariidae
Colony of Obelia sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Cnidaria
Subphylum: Medusozoa
Class: Hydrozoa
Subclass: Leptolinae
Order: Leptomedusae
Suborder: Proboscidoidea
Family: Campanulariidae
Genera

About 17, see text

The Campanulariidae are a family of animals in the phylum Cnidaria, or stinging-celled animals. Campanulariidae is composed entirely of hydroids, a Greek term meaning "water animals" applied to the plant-like polyp colonies of the class Hydrozoa. All species of the Campanulariidae are aquatic in habitat, primarily inhabiting coastal regions and tidal pools.

Obelia contains probably the most well-known species of this phylum, and include four species. All are around 20-35cm in height with a series of branches carrying the individual polyps. One species, Obelia longissima, is unique for its ability to produce obelin, a photoprotein which allows for bioluminscence.

The genus Laomedea includes such species as Laomedea angulata and Laomedea flexuosa, which are similar in appearance to the Obelia, though they are smaller and lack a medusa stage present in Obelia.

Genera[1]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ MarineSpecies.org (2008)

References

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