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An interpretation of the structure of the cnidarian Pelagohydra mirabilis (Coelenterata: Hydrozoa)
Author(s) -
Rees The Late W. J.,
Ralph Patricia M.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1970.tb01253.x
Subject(s) - biology , hydrozoa , hydroid (botany) , coelenterata , cnidaria , anatomy , ecology , coral
On the morphological evidence of three specimens Pelagohydra mirabilis Dendy is a floating tubularian hydroid of the subfamily Pelagohydrinae; its regional morphology is interpreted as homologous with the aboral and oral regions of the hydranths of genera such as Tubularia and Corymorpha , rather than with the hydrocaulus; the development of the aboral region into a fluid‐filled float has been brought about by the enormous development of the diaphragm and its parenchymatous cushion, a process resulting also in the scattering of the aboral whorl of tentacles and the blastostyles to positions all over the float; buoyancy and movement of the hydroid is probably attained through density changes in the coelenteric fluid in the float.