Pycnotheca mirabilis

Pycnotheca mirabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Subphylum: Medusozoa
Class: Hydrozoa
Subclass: Hydroidolina
Order: Leptothecata
Superfamily: Plumularioidea
Family: Kirchenpaueriidae
Genus: Pycnotheca
Species: P. mirabilis
Binomial name
Pycnotheca mirabilis
(Allman, 1883)
Synonyms

Diplocheilus allmani Torrey, 1902
Pycnotheca allmani (Torrey, 1902)[1]

The feathery hydroid, Pycnotheca mirabilis, is a colonial hydroid in the family Kirchenpaueriidae.[1] Feathery hydroids are often white and grow in crowded colonies resembling upright feathers. The stems may grow to 3 cm in total height. The reproductive bodies are found at the base of the stems and resemble beehives.[2]

This colonial animal is found off the South African coast from False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, as well as around the Indo-Pacific rim and Vema Seamount. It lives from the subtidal to 50 m under water.[2] This species eats microplankton.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=220596 accessed 20 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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