Kingdom Animalia Suborder Capitata Rank Family | Class Hydrozoa Phylum Cnidaria Order Anthomedusae | |
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Genus Solanderia
Duchassaing & Michelin, 1846 Similar Enteroctopus zealandicus, Histocidaris, Iridogorgia, Isocrinidae, Bathyteuthis abyssicola | ||
Solanderiidae is a family of cnidarians within the class Hydrozoa. According to the World Register of Marine Species, Solanderia is the only genus in this family. They are commonly known as tree hydroids or sea fan hydroids.
Contents
The gastropod genus Solanderia P. Fischer, 1879 is a junior homonym of Solanderia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1846; its replacement name is Rossiteria Brazier, 1895).
Description
Solanderia hydroids forms large colonies.They are one of about 1000 species of athecate hydroids, which do not construct a skeletal covering for their polyps (as opposed to the thecate hydroids in the order Leptothecata. The chitinous skeleton is internal, branches, and may form anastomoses. The skeleton is formed by coalescence and modification of adjacent hydrocauline tubes. The coenosarc covers the entire colony and penetrates skeletal interstices. The hydranths cover the whole colony surface and are uniform in structure, cylindrical, with a single whorl of capitate tentacles around the mouth. Numerous similar tentacles are scattered over the body. Solanderia is known from its polyp or hydroid stage, and produces gonophores which release sperm and eggs for reproduction. Where known, the gonophores are cryptomedusoid or eumedusoid, arising directly from the coenosarc.
Ecology
Species of Solanderia are eaten by nudibranchs in the genus Hermosita and the family Pleurolidiidae.
Species
Solanderia contains the following species: