Planar hydroid
The planar hydroid (Sertularella arbuscula) is a branching colonial hydroid in the family Sertulariidae.[1]
| Planar hydroid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Planar hydroid with reproductive bodies | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Leptothecata |
| Family: | Sertularellidae |
| Genus: | Sertularella |
| Species: | S. arbuscula |
| Binomial name | |
| Sertularella arbuscula (Lamouroux, 1816) | |
Description
Planar hyfroids at the wreck of the SAS Pietermaritzburg in False Bay
Planar hydroids are bright yellow and branched in one plane with a zig-zag appearance to the stems. The colonies usually grow up to 30 cm in height.[2]
Distribution
This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Saldanha Bay to central Mozambique, as well as off Vema Seamount, through the Indian Ocean and off Australia, down to 219m under water.[2]
Ecology
Planar hydroids live on vertical subtidal rock faces perpendicular to normal water flow. They feed on plankton.[2]
References
- http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117895 accessed 17 August 2013
- 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
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