Thuiaria articulata

Thuiaria articulata, the jointed hydroid or sea spleenwort, is a branching colonial hydroid in the family Sertulariidae.[1]

Thuiaria articulata
Jointed hydroid with reproductive bodies
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Leptothecata
Family: Sertulariidae
Genus: Thuiaria
Species:
T. articulata
Binomial name
Thuiaria articulata
(Pallas, 1766)

Description

Jointed hydroids look like a child's drawing of a Christmas tree. They have an upright stem with side branches that emerge in pairs and extend upwards from the 'trunk'. The branches all grow in one plane. The colony is usually 4–8 cm in total height but may grow to 22 cm.[2]

Distribution

This colonial animal is found off the length of the South African coast down to 135m under water. It is also found at Vema Seamount.[2]

Ecology

Jointed hydroids live in sheltered areas and are common on the southern Cape coast. The reproductive bodies are ovoid with a distinct depression in their apex.[2]

Synonyms

The following species are considered synonyms of Thuiaria articulata:[1]

  • Dymella articulata (Pallas, 1766) (synonym)
  • Salacia articulata (Pallas, 1766) (Synonym)
  • Sertularia articulata Pallas, 1766 (basionym)
  • Sertularia lonchitis Ellis & Solander, 1786 (synonym)
  • Thuiaria barentsi Naumov, 1960 (synonym)
  • Thuiaria lichenastrum (Linnaeus, 1758) (synonym)
  • Thuiaria lonchitis (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (synonym)

References
  1. http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117932 accessed 16 August 2013
  2. 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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