PORT PHILLIP BAY


Hydroid 

Plumularia setaceoides (Bale, 1882)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Family level detail.
Hydroids branched or unbranched, pinnate, usually with alternate hydrocladia, hydrotheca cup-shaped, one nematotheca in front of hydrotheca and one on each side behind hydrotheca. Gonophores protected by a gonotheca female gonophore producing eggs. The family Plumulariidae encompasses many genera and species world-wide, from shallow to deep water. Species range from very small fast growing colonies to large colonies that may live for many years.

Genus level detail.
Colonies pinnate, hydrocladia alternate on stem internodes, each hydrocladium bearing several hydrothecae and divided into segments (internodes) alternately with and without hydrothecae. Hydrotheca on thecate segment, cup-shaped, with one wine-glass-shaped median nematotheca in front and two (twin laterals) at margin of hydrotheca. Athecate segment Internode with one or more median nematothecae. Gonothecae borne on stem and branches.

Species identification.
Hydrorhiza stout, stem monosiphonic, pinnate, hydrocladia recurved, with thecate and athecate internodes. Hydrotheca cup-shaped, facing obliquely upward, aperture circular, a median nematotheca in front of hydrotheca and one at each side (twin laterals) of apertural rim and one on athecate internode. Gonotheca borne on lower stem, much larger than hydrotheca, barrel-shaped, wall smooth to rugose, female with eggs. Colour: white. Up to 5 cm high.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Cnidaria
Class:
Hydrozoa
Subclass:
Leptothecatae
Order:
Conica
Family:
Plumulariidae
Genus:
Plumularia
Species:
setaceoides

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: white. Up to 5 cm high.

Biology

These graceful colonies are common on jetties.

Habitat

On algae, seagrass and other invertebrates, prefers semi-sheltered areas, on jetty piles.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Distribution guide

New Zealand and southern Australia.

Species Group

Hydroids

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

5 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Harmful

Generally not harmful but still able to sting bare skin.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 3471

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, Plumularia setaceoides, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7136

Text: creative commons cc by licence