Gattya humilis

Gattya humilis, the snowdrop hydroid, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.[1]

Gattya humilis
Snowdrop hydroid with Doto coronata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Leptothecata
Family: Halopterididae
Genus: Gattya
Species:
G. humilis
Binomial name
Gattya humilis
Allman, 1885
Synonyms
  • Paragattya humilis (Allman, 1885)
  • Paragattya intermedia Warren, 1908

Description

Snowdrop hydroids are usually white and have small branches extending from a central stem. They may grow up to 3 cm in total height. The male gonophores (reproductive bodies) are smaller and more rounded than the female ones, which are goblet-shaped and contain only one egg each. Both sexes occur on the same stem.[2]

Distribution

This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Northern Namibia to KwaZulu-Natal from the subtidal to 70m under water. It is only found in this region.[2]

Ecology

This species often grows on coralline algae or weed.[2]

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References
  1. http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=289983 accessed 19 August 2013
  2. Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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