Corhiza scotiae

Corhiza scotiae
Fine hydroid with reproductive bodies
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Leptothecata
Family: Halopterididae
Genus: Corhiza
Species:
C. scotiae
Binomial name
Corhiza scotiae
(Ritchie, 1907)
Synonyms
  • Antennella ritchiei Totton, 1930

Corhiza scotiae, the fine hydroid, 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 33 cm 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]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Corhiza scotiae.
  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Corhiza scotiae (Ritchie, 1907)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  2. ^ a b c Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513