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]

Pycnotheca mirabilis
Illustration from the protologue of P. mirabilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
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]

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

edit
  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pycnotheca mirabilis (Allman, 1883)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 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