Snowdrop hydroid
| Snowdrop hydroid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| snowdrop hydroid with Doto coronata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Medusozoa |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Subclass: | Hydroidolina |
| Order: | Leptothecata |
| Superfamily: | Plumularioidea |
| Family: | Halopterididae |
| Genus: | Gattya |
| Species: | G. humilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Gattya humilis Allman, 1885 | |
The snowdrop hydroid, Gattya humilis, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.[1]
Description
Snowdrop hydroids are usually white and have small branches extending from a central stem. They may grow up to 3cm in total height. The male gonophores (reproductive bodies) are smaller and more rounded than the female ones, which are goblet-shaped and contain only one egg each. Both sexes occur on the same stem.[2]
Distribution
This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Northern Namibia to KwaZulu-Natal from the subtidal to 70m under water. It is only found in this region.[2]
Ecology
This species often grows on coralline algae or weed.[2]
Synonym
The following species are considered as synonyms of Gattya humilis:[1]
- Paragattya humilis (Allman, 1885)
- Paragattya intermedia Warren, 1908
References
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