Sphaeronectes species.

P. R. Pugh, 2009, A review of the family Sphaeronectidae (Class Hydrozoa, Order Siphonophora), with the description of three new species, Zootaxa 2147, pp. 1-48 : 41

Key for the identification of the nectophores of Sphaeronectes species.

1 Lateral radial canals straight ........................................................................................................................................ 2

- Lateral radial canals curved ......................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Lateral radial canals arising from upper canal, hydroecium restricted to one side of nectosac. Nectophore minute, c. 1 mm in height ............................................................................................................................................... S. bougisi

- Lateral radial canals arise from pedicular canal, hydroecium extending over apex of nectosac. Nectophore large, up to 8 mm in height ........................................................................................................................................ S. koellikeri

3 Somatocyst horizontal, ovoid with a distinct peduncle. Hydroecium asymmetrical. Nectophore small, up to 2.7 mm in height ....................................................................................................................................................... S. gamulini

- Somatocyst vertical. Hydroecium symmetrical .......................................................................................................... 4

4 Somatocyst cylindrical................................................................................................................................................. 5

- Somatocyst not cylindrical ........................................................................................................................................... 6

5 Somatocyst long,> 1/6 th height of nectophore .................................................................................... S. brevitruncata

- Somatocyst short, <1/9 th height of nectophore ................................................................................. S. christiansonae

6 Somatocyst with distinct pedicle .................................................................................................................................. 7

- Somatocyst without distinct pedicle ....................................................................................................................... … 8

7 Somatocyst spheroidal with very long, vertical pedicle. Nectophore c. 5 mm in height .............................. S. fragilis

- Somatocyst large & swollen with distinct, mainly horizontal pedicle. Nectophore large 9–11.5 mm in height............ .................................................................................................................................................................... S. haddocki

8 Somatocyst pyriform. Nectophore small c. 3 mm in height ..................................................................... S. irregularis

- Somatocyst minute and globular. Hydroecium small and tubular. Nectophore large c. 8 mm in height .. S. tiburonae