Wuvulidae, Peter, 2021

Schuchert, Peter & Collins, Richard, 2021, Hydromedusae observed during night dives in the Gulf Stream, Revue suisse de Zoologie 128 (2), pp. 237-356 : 294

Wuvulidae new family

Diagnosis: Medusa with more than four radial canals, sometimes partially ramified; tentacle bulbs and atentaculate bulbs with lateral sac-like appendages; large adaxial excretory papillae on marginal tentacular bulbs. Gonads on radial canals. No ocelli, no statocysts. Hydroid unknown.

Remarks: Bouillon et al. (1988b) when introducing the genus Wuvula included it in the family Laodiceidae based on the assertion that the appendages of the marginal bulbs resemble cordyli. Pendant cordyli (e.g. Fig. 29C ) are typical for the Laodiceidae , but they also occur in the Hebellidae . They occur mostly on the bell margin, but may also be placed on marginal bulbs. The hollow appendages in Wuvula ( Fig. 36F ) are clearly not cordyli and also their paired position on the side of bulbs is not known for cordyli in the Laodiceidae . The genus must thus be removed from the Laodiceidae . Wuvula lacks ocelli, statocysts, and cordyli and could be related to the Melicertidae Agassiz, 1862 which also lack them. The absence of statocysts and cordyli is, however, likely a plesiomorphy and not suitable for postulating a relationship. Moreover, the 16S data of W. ochracea did not indicate relationship to any group (results not shown, but see below).

We therefore propose that the genus is accommodated in a new family Wuvulidae . Its diagnosis is given above and taken from the genus diagnosis.

Figures

Fig. 29. Melicertissa mayeri, BFLA4451, size 10 mm. (A) Oblique view of whole animal. (B) Oral view. (C) Bell margin, note cordyli and ocelli.

Fig. 36. Wuvula ochracea. (A-D) Animal observed 04-JUN-2019, ca. 2.5 mm, different views of the same animal, note beginning gonad development on radial canals. (E) BFLA4392, size 4 mm. (F) BFLA4372, preserved sample, view from adaxial side on a bulb with its appendages. (G) BFLA4470, size 3.5 mm. (H) BFLA4361, size 3.5 mm. (I) Animal observed 16-MAR-2020, not collected, size 4 mm.