Candelabrum tentaculatum
Candelabrum tentaculatum, also called the dreadlocks hydroid or calamari hydroid, is a sessile marine hydroid, that is found off the Cape Peninsula of South Africa.[1][2]
Candelabrum tentaculatum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hydrozoa |
Order: | Anthoathecata |
Family: | Candelabridae |
Genus: | Candelabrum |
Species: | C. tentaculatum |
Binomial name | |
Candelabrum tentaculatum Millard, 1966) | |
Synonyms | |
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Description
Naked cylindrical hydranth up to about 70mm long, covered by densely packed short capitate tentacles. Basal part carries a single whorl of about 17 long unbranched blastostyles, with gonophores near the hydranth.[1]
Species range
Endemic to South Africa, known only from the Cape Peninsula[1][2] and Port Elizabeth in 10 to 30 m of water.[2]
Identification
Pale off-white slightly tapering cylindrical central part with rounded tip, covered with very short rounded tentacles. The base has a ring of long floppy reddish tentacles that drape over the substrate.
- Small group off Clifton, Cape Town.
- Large group off Oudekraal, Cape Town.
- Candelabrum tentaculatum on Laminopora jellyae, off Hout Bay, Cape Town.
Natural history
Often found on pore-plated false corals Laminopora jellyae.[2]
References
- Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
- Jones, Georgina. (2008), Marine animals of the Cape Peninsula Southern Underwater Research Group Press, Cape Town. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9