Deep-Sea taxon details
Obelia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758)
117386 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:117386)
accepted
Species
Campanularia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted (synonym)
Laomedea dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted (synonym)
Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859 · unaccepted (synonym)
Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868 · unaccepted (synonym)
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
recent only
(of ) Linnaeus, C. (1758). <i>Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis</i>. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. [iii] + 824 pp. , available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 812 [details] Available for editors
page(s): 812 [details] Available for editors
Note Coast of SW England
From editor or global species database
Type locality Coast of SW England [details]
Distribution cosmopolitan
Distribution cosmopolitan [details]
Schuchert, P.; Choong, H.; Galea, H.; Hoeksema, B.; Lindsay, D.; Manko, M.; Pica, D. (2026). World Hydrozoa Database. Obelia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2026) World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS) at: https://www.marinespecies.org/DeepSea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117386 on 2026-06-13
Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2026). World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS). Obelia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed at: https://marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117386 on 2026-06-13
Date
action
by
original description
(of Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868) Hincks, Th., 1868. A history of the British hydroid zoophytes.London, John van Voorst. Volume 1 : i-lxviii + 1-338, volume 2: pls 1-67., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46798707
page(s): 159, pl. 30, figs 1, 1a [details]
original description (of Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859) McCrady, J. 1859. Gymnopthalmata of Charleston Harbor. Proceedings of the Elliott Society of Natural History 1: 103-221, pls 8-12. , available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42536587
page(s): 197, pl. 11 figs 5-7 [details]
original description (of ) Linnaeus, C. (1758). <i>Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis</i>. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. [iii] + 824 pp. , available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 812 [details] Available for editors
context source (Deepsea) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), available online at http://www.iobis.org/ [details]
context source (Bermuda) Calder D.R. (1991). Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea. <em>Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Contributions.</em> 154: 1-140., available online at https://doi.org/10.2307/1352274 [details] Available for editors
context source (Hexacorallia) Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. (look up in IMIS) [details]
context source (PeRMS) Oliveira, O. M. P.; Miranda, T. P.; Araujo, E. M.; Ayón, P.; Cedeño-Posso, C. M.; Cepeda-Mercado, A. A.; Córdova, P.; Cunha, A. F.; Genzano, G. N.; Haddad, M. A.; Mianzan, H. W.; Migotto, A. E.; Miranda, L. S.; Morandini, A. C.; Nagata, R. M.; Nascimento, K. B.; Júnior, M. N.; Palma, S.; Quiñones, J.; Rodriguez, C. S.; Scarabino, F.; Schiariti, A.; Stampar, S. N.; Tronolone, V. B.; Marques, A. C. (2016). Census of Cnidaria (Medusozoa) and Ctenophora from South American marine waters. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4194(1)., available online at https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4194.1.1 [details] Available for editors
basis of record van der Land, J.; Vervoort, W.; Cairns, S.D.; Schuchert, P. (2001). Hydrozoa, <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 112-120 (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Brunel, P., L. Bosse & G. Lamarche. (1998). Catalogue of the marine invertebrates of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. <em>Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 126.</em> 405 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
additional source NODC. (1997). NODC Taxonomic codes. [details]
additional source Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. <em>Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France.</em> 307 pp., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/145561.pdf [details]
additional source Calder D.R. (1991). Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea. <em>Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Contributions.</em> 154: 1-140., available online at https://doi.org/10.2307/1352274
page(s): 46, 69, 70, 72-76, 138 [details] Available for editors
additional source Calder, D. R. and S. D. Cairns. 2009. Hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 381–394 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). [Checklist of marine biota of China seas]. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
additional source Cairns, S.D., L. Gershwin, F.J. Brook, P. Pugh, E.W. Dawson, O.V. Ocaña, W. Vervoort, G. Williams, J.E. Watson, D.M. Opresko, P. Schuchert, P.M. Hine, D.P. Gordon, H.I. Campbell, A.J. Wright, J.A.Sánchez & D.G. Fautin. (2009). Phylum Cnidaria: corals, medusae, hydroids, myxozoans. <em>in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia.</em> :59-101., available online at https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8431 [details] Available for editors
additional source Watson, J. E. (2024). The marine hydroids of south-eastern Australia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). <em>Museum Victoria Science Reports.</em> 22: 1-121., available online at https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mvsr.2024.22
page(s): 63, figs 106-108 [details] Available for editors
additional source Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). , available online at http://www.itis.gov [details]
additional source Bouillon, J.; Boero, F. (2000). Synopsis of the families and genera of the Hydromedusae of the world, with a list of the worldwide species. <i>Thalassia Salent. 24</i>: 47-296 (look up in IMIS) [details]
redescription Cornelius, P. F. S. (1995). North-West European Thecate Hydroids and their Medusae.Part 2. Sertulariidae to Campanulariidae. <em>In: R.S.K. Barnes & J.H. Crothers, eds, Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series). The Linn. Soc. London and Est. Coas. Sci. Ass. - Field Studies Council.</em> 50 : i-vii, 1-386. (look up in IMIS)
page(s): 296, fig. 69 [details]
page(s): 159, pl. 30, figs 1, 1a [details]
original description (of Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859) McCrady, J. 1859. Gymnopthalmata of Charleston Harbor. Proceedings of the Elliott Society of Natural History 1: 103-221, pls 8-12. , available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42536587
page(s): 197, pl. 11 figs 5-7 [details]
original description (of ) Linnaeus, C. (1758). <i>Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis</i>. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. [iii] + 824 pp. , available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 812 [details] Available for editors
context source (Deepsea) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), available online at http://www.iobis.org/ [details]
context source (Bermuda) Calder D.R. (1991). Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea. <em>Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Contributions.</em> 154: 1-140., available online at https://doi.org/10.2307/1352274 [details] Available for editors
context source (Hexacorallia) Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. (look up in IMIS) [details]
context source (PeRMS) Oliveira, O. M. P.; Miranda, T. P.; Araujo, E. M.; Ayón, P.; Cedeño-Posso, C. M.; Cepeda-Mercado, A. A.; Córdova, P.; Cunha, A. F.; Genzano, G. N.; Haddad, M. A.; Mianzan, H. W.; Migotto, A. E.; Miranda, L. S.; Morandini, A. C.; Nagata, R. M.; Nascimento, K. B.; Júnior, M. N.; Palma, S.; Quiñones, J.; Rodriguez, C. S.; Scarabino, F.; Schiariti, A.; Stampar, S. N.; Tronolone, V. B.; Marques, A. C. (2016). Census of Cnidaria (Medusozoa) and Ctenophora from South American marine waters. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4194(1)., available online at https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4194.1.1 [details] Available for editors
basis of record van der Land, J.; Vervoort, W.; Cairns, S.D.; Schuchert, P. (2001). Hydrozoa, <B><I>in</I></B>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). <i>European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,</i> 50: pp. 112-120 (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Brunel, P., L. Bosse & G. Lamarche. (1998). Catalogue of the marine invertebrates of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. <em>Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 126.</em> 405 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
additional source NODC. (1997). NODC Taxonomic codes. [details]
additional source Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. <em>Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France.</em> 307 pp., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/145561.pdf [details]
additional source Calder D.R. (1991). Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea. <em>Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Contributions.</em> 154: 1-140., available online at https://doi.org/10.2307/1352274
page(s): 46, 69, 70, 72-76, 138 [details] Available for editors
additional source Calder, D. R. and S. D. Cairns. 2009. Hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 381–394 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). [Checklist of marine biota of China seas]. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
additional source Cairns, S.D., L. Gershwin, F.J. Brook, P. Pugh, E.W. Dawson, O.V. Ocaña, W. Vervoort, G. Williams, J.E. Watson, D.M. Opresko, P. Schuchert, P.M. Hine, D.P. Gordon, H.I. Campbell, A.J. Wright, J.A.Sánchez & D.G. Fautin. (2009). Phylum Cnidaria: corals, medusae, hydroids, myxozoans. <em>in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia.</em> :59-101., available online at https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8431 [details] Available for editors
additional source Watson, J. E. (2024). The marine hydroids of south-eastern Australia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). <em>Museum Victoria Science Reports.</em> 22: 1-121., available online at https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mvsr.2024.22
page(s): 63, figs 106-108 [details] Available for editors
additional source Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). , available online at http://www.itis.gov [details]
additional source Bouillon, J.; Boero, F. (2000). Synopsis of the families and genera of the Hydromedusae of the world, with a list of the worldwide species. <i>Thalassia Salent. 24</i>: 47-296 (look up in IMIS) [details]
redescription Cornelius, P. F. S. (1995). North-West European Thecate Hydroids and their Medusae.Part 2. Sertulariidae to Campanulariidae. <em>In: R.S.K. Barnes & J.H. Crothers, eds, Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series). The Linn. Soc. London and Est. Coas. Sci. Ass. - Field Studies Council.</em> 50 : i-vii, 1-386. (look up in IMIS)
page(s): 296, fig. 69 [details]
Present Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
From editor or global species database
Distribution cosmopolitan [details]Type locality Coast of SW England [details]
From regional or thematic species database
Introduced species vector dispersal Galapagos part of the South Pacific Ocean (Marine Region) Ships: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organisms[details]
Introduced species vector dispersal United States part of the North Pacific Ocean (Marine Region) Debris: transport of species on human generated debris (dock fender) [details]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch | lange zeedraadgespletene zeedraad [from synonym] | [details] |
| English | thin-walled obeliasea thread hydroid | [details] |
| German | Gegabelter Glockenpolyp | [details] |
| Japanese | ヤセオベリア | [details] |
Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland
Marine Life Information Network - UK
To Barcode of Life (76 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (103 publications) (from synonym Laomedea dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (124 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (42 publications) (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (80 publications) (from synonym Campanularia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (91 publications) (from synonym Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Obelia dichotoma)
To GenBank (128 nucleotides; 23 proteins)
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (112 records)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (25 records) (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (26 records) (from synonym Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859)
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 077035)
To ITIS
Marine Life Information Network - UK
To Barcode of Life (76 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (103 publications) (from synonym Laomedea dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (124 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (42 publications) (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (80 publications) (from synonym Campanularia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (91 publications) (from synonym Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Obelia dichotoma)
To GenBank (128 nucleotides; 23 proteins)
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (112 records)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (25 records) (from synonym Obelia plicata Hincks, 1868)
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Cnidaria Collection (26 records) (from synonym Obelia commissuralis McCrady, 1859)
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 077035)
To ITIS
