PORT PHILLIP BAY


Hydroid 

Halopteris glutinosa (Lamouroux, 1816)

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 comprising many unbranched plumose stems. Hydrocladia alternate on stems, stem and hydrocladia with upward-facing cup-shaped hydrothecae. A nematotheca at base, and one on each side (twin laterals) of hydrotheca and one, tiny, scoop-shaped, tucked below front of hydrotheca. Gonothecae large, scattered along stem, female much larger than hydrotheca, pear-shaped, triangular in section, walls smooth with nematothecae scattered over surface; male smaller than female with two nematothecae near base. Colour: scarlet, appearing black in deeper waters. Up to 10 cm high.

Taxonomy

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

General Description

Colony of individual polyps (hydranths) joined by root-like network of tubular stolons at the base. Colony shape is tree-like or bushy (arborescent). Colour: scarlet, appearing black in deeper waters. Up to 10 cm high.

Biology

Colonies of this species grow in winter months and become fertile late winter. They may live for several years.

Habitat

Oceanic reefs, prefers good current flow.

Reefs

Distribution guide

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

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 glutinosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7120

Text: creative commons cc by licence