General Description
Colony of individual polyps (hydranths) joined by root-like network of tubular stolons at the base. Colony shape is single stems. Colour: colourless to yellowish white, medusa colourless. At night the colonies bioluminesce blue. Up to 10 mm high.
Biology
Colonies of this common southern Australian species grow and become fertile in summer.
Distribution
Circumglobal in temperate waters. Southern Australia.
Habitat
Subtidal, epiphytic on fronds of brown kelps.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Short stems with zigzag internodes, on brown algae.
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Maximum Size
10 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Plankton or Particles
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Diet Categories
Plankton
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Hazards
Generally not harmful but still able to sting bare skin.
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Linnaeus, 1758)
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Common Name
Hydroid
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Phylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
geniculata
