PORT PHILLIP BAY


Hydroid 

Halopteris campanula (Busk, 1852)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Genus level detail.
Colonies erect, branched or unbranched, monosiphonic, stems and branches bearing hydrothecae Hydrotheca cup-shaped, margin usually circular, twin lateral nematothecae beside hydrotheca and median nematothecae on athecate internodes. Gonothecae on stem and branches, gonothecae without nematothecae. Colonies of Halopteris are often brightly coloured. The genus is represented in southern Australia is by two conspicuous species.

Species identification.
Colonies delicate lacy comprising irregularly branched stems. Main stem with a row of hydrothecae, hydrocladia given off alternately from stem internodes. Hydrothecae borne along snd tem and hydrocladia, cup-shaped, facing upward, each with three nematothecae, one behind base of hydrotheca and two tall nematothecae (twin laterals), one at each side at front of hydrotheca. Gonotheca ovate, large, borne on branches, female larger than male, with a large aperture closed by an operculum, female with two nematothecae near base, male with one. Colour: yellow to orange. Up to 10 cm high.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Cnidaria
Class:
Hydrozoa
Subclass:
Leptothecatae
Order:
Conica
Family:
Halopterididae
Genus:
Halopteris
Species:
campanula

General Description

Colony of individual polyps (hydranths) joined by root-like network of tubular stolons at the base. Colony shape is feather-like (pinnate). Colour: yellow to orange. Up to 10 cm high.

Biology

Colonies of this species grow throughout year and are fertile in summer.

Habitat

On other invertebrates on ocean reefs in good current flow.

Reefs

Distribution guide

New Zealand and southern Australia.

Species Group

Hydroids

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

10 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Harmful

Generally not harmful but still able to sting bare skin.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Watson, J.

Jan Watson is a consultant with expertise in hydroid taxonomy.

citation

Cite this page as:
Watson, J., 2011, Hydroid, Halopteris campanula, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7121

Text: creative commons cc by licence