CAMPANULARIIDAE, Johnston, 1836

Mead, A., Carlton, J. T., Griffiths, C. L. & Rius, M., 2011, Introduced and cryptogenic marine and estuarine species of South Africa, Journal of Natural History 45 (39 - 40), pp. 2463-2524 : 2475-2476

Family CAMPANULARIIDAE

Laomedea calceolifera (Hincks, 1871) Introduced (= Eulaomedea calceolifera ; = Campanularia calceolifera ; = Laomedea angulata ).

This well-known North Atlantic fouling hydroid was recorded from Cape Town docks by Millard (1959) as Laomedea angulata ) and Millard (1975) as Eulaomedea calceolifera . Millard (1959) and Millard (1978) (recorded as Campanularia calceolifera ) regard it as introduced by ships to South Africa. Zvyagintsev (2003) discusses its anthropogenic dispersal out of the North Atlantic Ocean since the nineteenth century. Stechow’s (1925) record of this species from 70 m in Simon’s Bay (False Bay) is in doubt ( Millard 1978) and we do not include it here. Hence, the first South African collections of Laomedea calceolifera were made in 1948 ( Millard 1959).

Gonothyraea loveni (Allman, 1859) Introduced

Millard (1975, 1978) suggested that this well-known North Atlantic hydroid was introduced to the southern hemisphere by ships, with which conclusion we agree. Millard (1975) noted that it was restricted to Cape Town docks “on ships’ hulls, experimental submerged plates, pylons and cables.” The first South African collections were made in 1946 ( Millard 1959).

Obelia bidentata Clark, 1875 Introduced (= Obelia bicuspidata )

We recognize the harbour, port and lagoon populations of this and the other two species of Obelia treated here as introduced. Although invasions (such as Mytilus galloprovincialis and Balanus glandula ) occur on open rocky shores and in offshore waters (such as Metridium senile ) of South Africa, we reserve judgement on the biogeographic status of the populations of Obelia from other than harbours until genetic data are in hand. The first collections of which we are aware were made in 1948 on the hull of a ship in Table Bay. Millard (1975) notes the habitat as “on ships’ hulls, hermit shells and weed” and gives an additional South African distribution as Durban to the Mozambique border on the east coast. In the absence of global population molecular genetics, the biogeographic origin of this and the following two Obelia spp. remains unknown.

Obelia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758) Introduced

As noted above, we regard inshore populations as the probable non-native genotypes of these Obelia clades. Millard (1975) notes, “Colonies are commonly epizootic on other hydroids and algae, and have also been found on Squalus acutipinnis , Aulacomya magellanica (now Aulacomya ater ), Lepas sp. and Caretta caretta . It is very common in dock areas on pylons and ships’ hulls.” We suggest that these non-harbour habitats may represent native dichotoma -like clades. The first collections appear to be those from 1938. Millard (1975) gives the South African distribution as Lambert’s Bay on the west coast to Algoa Bay on the south coast.

Obelia geniculata (Linnaeus, 1758) Introduced

Millard (1975) described the habitat of this species as, “littoral to 80 m. .. and on ships’ hulls, especially common on laminarians, also on Jasus lalandii .” We suggest that the deep-water populations, including those on the rock-lobster Jasus , may not be genetically identical to global harbour populations of this species. The first collections that have come to our attention are those from 1934 in Oudekraal, on the Cape Peninsula. Millard (1975) gives the South African distribution as Lambert’s Bay on the west coast to Cape Town Docks.