Pycnotheca mirabilis

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Pycnotheca mirabilis
Bryozoans and hydroids at Lorry Bay PB011943.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Leptothecata
Family: Kirchenpaueriidae
Genus: Pycnotheca
Species:
P. mirabilis
Binomial name
Pycnotheca mirabilis
(Allman, 1883)
Synonyms
  • Diplocheilus allmani Torrey, 1902
  • Pycnotheca allmani (Torrey, 1902)[1]

Pycnotheca mirabilis, The feathery hydroid, is a colonial hydroid in the family Kirchenpaueriidae.[2] Feathery hydroids are often white and grow in crowded colonies resembling upright feathers. The stems may grow to 3 cm in total height. The reproductive bodies are found at the base of the stems and resemble beehives.[3]

This colonial animal is found off the South African coast from False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, as well as around the Indo-Pacific rim and Vema Seamount. It lives from the subtidal to 50 m under water.[3] This species eats microplankton.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=220596 accessed 20 August 2013
  2. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pycnotheca mirabilis (Allman, 1883)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  3. ^ a b c Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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