Tubular sponge hydroid
| tubular sponge hydroid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Subclass: | Hydroidolina |
| Order: | Anthoathecata |
| Suborder: | Aplanulata |
| Family: | Tubulariidae |
| Genus: | Zyzzyzus |
| Species: | Z. warreni |
| Binomial name | |
| Zyzzyzus warreni Calder, 1988[1] | |
The tubular sponge hydroid (Zyzzyzus warreni) is a species of hydroid cnidarian. It is a member of the family Tubulariidae.
Description
The tubular sponge hydroid grows to about 1.5cm tall. It has a fat stem and a daisy-like polyp with sparse tentacles surrounding a group of reproductive sporosacs which in turn surround the pink and white oral tentacles. The body of the hydranths (feeding individuals) as well as the gonophores (reproductive polyps) are pinky red, while the tentacles are transparent white.[2]
Distribution
This species is found around the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to KwaZulu-Natal as well as off the Cape Verde Islands and Trinidad. It is known from the subtidal to at least 30m underwater.[2]
Ecology
These animals usually grow embedded in sponges.[3]
Linguistic importance
Zyzzyzus warreni is commonly the last word in many English-language dictionaries.
References
- ↑ http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291318 accessed 10 August 2013
- 1 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.
- ↑ Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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