Gattya humilis
Gattya humilis, the snowdrop hydroid, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.[1]
| Gattya humilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Snowdrop hydroid with Doto coronata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Leptothecata |
| Family: | Halopterididae |
| Genus: | Gattya |
| Species: | G. humilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Gattya humilis Allman, 1885 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
Snowdrop hydroids are usually white and have small branches extending from a central stem. They may grow up to 3 cm in total height. The male gonophores (reproductive bodies) are smaller and more rounded than the female ones, which are goblet-shaped and contain only one egg each. Both sexes occur on the same stem.[2]
Distribution
This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Northern Namibia to KwaZulu-Natal from the subtidal to 70m under water. It is only found in this region.[2]
Ecology
This species often grows on coralline algae or weed.[2]
References
- "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Gattya humilis Allman, 1885". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
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