Solanderia ericopsis
Solanderia ericopsis is a hydroid in the family Solanderiidae, the group commonly known as tree hydroids or sea fan hydroids. S. ericopsis forms very large, conspicuous colonies from 5 to 50 cm in height, which are often noted by divers.[1] They are usually strictly fan-shaped but can sometimes be bushy.[1]
| Solanderia ericopsis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Anthoathecata |
| Family: | Solanderiidae |
| Genus: | Solanderia |
| Species: | S. ericopis |
| Binomial name | |
| Solanderia ericopis (Carter 1873) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The colonies can be unusually long-lived: during long-term monitoring of defined rock areas around the Poor Knights Islands, one researcher observed a single colony of S. ericopsis over fifteen years, during which it reached 50 cm in height.[1]
Distribution
Solanderia ericopsis is found only in New Zealand, all around the country but mostly in the North Island; it can occur in rather shallow water, at depths ranging from 2 to 200 metres.[2]
References
- Schuchert, Peter (1996). The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Athecate Hydriods and their Medusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Wellington: NIWA. pp. 139–142. ISBN 978-0-478-08377-4.
- "Critter of the Week: Solanderia – the tree hydroid". Critter of the Week. NIWA. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
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