Tubular sponge hydroid

Tubular sponge hydroid
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Cnidaria
Class:Hydrozoa
Order:Anthoathecata
Family:Tubulariidae
Genus:Zyzzyzus
Species: Z. warreni
Binomial name
Zyzzyzus warreni
Calder, 1988[1]

The tubular sponge hydroid (Zyzzyzus warreni) is a species of hydroid cnidarian. It is a member of the family Tubulariidae.

Description

The tubular sponge hydroid grows to about 1.5 cm tall. It has a fat stem and a daisy-like polyp with sparse tentacles surrounding a group of reproductive sporosacs which in turn surround the pink and white oral tentacles. The body of the hydranths (feeding individuals) as well as the gonophores (reproductive polyps) are pinky red, while the tentacles are transparent white.[2]

Distribution

This species is found around the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to KwaZulu-Natal as well as off the Cape Verde Islands and Trinidad. It is known from the subtidal to at least 30m underwater.[2]

Ecology

These animals usually grow embedded in sponges.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291318 accessed 10 August 2013
  2. 1 2 Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa. ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0.
  3. ↑ Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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