Gattya humilis, the snowdrop hydroid, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.[1]

Description

Snowdrop hydroids are usually white and have small branches extending from a central stem. They may grow up to 3 cm in total height. The male gonophores (reproductive bodies) are smaller and more rounded than the female ones, which are goblet-shaped and contain only one egg each. Both sexes occur on the same stem.[2]

Distribution

This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Northern Namibia to KwaZulu-Natal from the subtidal to 70m under water. It is only found in this region.[2]

Ecology

This species often grows on coralline algae or weed.[2]

References

  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Gattya humilis Allman, 1885". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  2. ^ a b c Millard, N.A.H. 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 68:1-513
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattya_humilis
No tags for this post.