Campanularia sp.

Cantero, A. L. Peña, Svoboda, A. & Vervoort, W., 2004, Antarctic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) of the families Campanulinidae, Lafoeidae and Campanulariidae from recent Antarctic expeditions with R. V. Polarstern, with the description of a new species, Journal of Natural History 38 (18), pp. 2269-2303 : 2299

Campanularia sp.

( figure 1J )

Material examined. ANT IX-3 Stn 176, numerous hydrothecae on Billardia subrufa (RMNH-Coel. 30760).

Description. Stolonal hydrorhiza giving rise, through a short apophysis, to erect and slightly sinuous pedicels supporting a single hydrotheca ( figure 1J ). Wall of pedicel smooth.

Hydrotheca bell-shaped ( figure 1J ), ca 853 M m high, resting on a basal spherule ca 64 M m high and 81 M m width, and provided with a distinct diaphragm delimiting a small basal chamber ca 81 M m high. Distinct inflexion point present between basal chamber and remaining hydrotheca. Hydrothecal diameter strongly increasing above basal chamber, only slightly afterwards; minimum diameter at diaphragm (ca 129 M m) and maximum diameter at aperture (ca 483 M m). Hydrothecal aperture circular; rim provided with ca 12 blunt cusps, separated by deep embayments.

Gonothecae not found.

Remarks. Campanularia sp. is close to C. hincksii Alder, 1856 and may even be conspecific. However, the lack of gonothecae in our material prevents us from identifying it with certainty.

Ecology and distribution. Campanularia sp. was found at a depth of 634 m off Fimbul Ice Shelf, Princess Astrid Coast, Weddell Sea. It was found epibiotic on Billardia subrufa .

Figures

FIG. 1. (A, B) Lafoeina longitheca Jäderholm, 1904. (A) Hydrotheca; (B) hydrotheca and nematotheca. (C–H)?Opercularella belgicae (Hartlaub, 1904). (C) Hydrothecae on branched pedicel; (D, E) hydrothecae on unbranched pedicels; (F) hydrotheca; (G, H) gonothecae. (I) Campanularia antarctica Stechow, 1922, hydrotheca. (J) Campanularia sp., hydrotheca. (A, B from ANT VIII-5 Stn 16-423; C, G, H from ANT VIII-5 Stn 16-405; D from ANT VIII-5 Stn 16-475; E from ANT VIII-5 Stn 16-407; F from ANT VIII-5 Stn?; I from ANT VIII-5 Stn 16-459; J from ANT IX-3 Stn 176.) Scale bar: 200 Mm (A, B, D–F); 500 Mm (C, G–J).