Hydrozoa taxon details
Staurocladia wellingtoni Schuchert, 1996
![Staurocladia wellingtoni, living medusa [paratype], size about 7 mm](https://images.marinespecies.org/thumbs/22817_staurocladia-wellingtoni-living-medusa-paratype-size-about-7-mm.jpg?w=140 "Staurocladia wellingtoni, living medusa [paratype], size about 7 mm")
231756 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:231756)
accepted
Species
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
recent only
Schuchert P. (1996). The marine fauna of New Zealand: Athecate hydroids and their medusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). <em>New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir.</em> 106 : 1-159. [details] 
Type locality contained in Cook Strait
, Note Te Raekaihau Point, Wellington, New Zealand;...
type locality contained in Cook Strait [details]
From editor or global species database
Type locality Te Raekaihau Point, Wellington, New Zealand; -41.347, 174.791; 0.5 - 2 m [details]
Description
Adult medusa:
The adult medusa crawls on macroalgae and is unable to swim freely. The umbrella is a shallow bell and much...
Adult medusa:
The adult medusa crawls on macroalgae and is unable to swim freely. The umbrella is a shallow bell and much...
Description
Adult medusa:
The adult medusa crawls on macroalgae and is unable to swim freely. The umbrella is a shallow bell and much wider than high, diameter is up to 4 mm without tentacles, the jelly is thin but noticeable. The velum is broad and fits closely around the manubrium which may protrude out of the subumbrella. The upper part of the tubular manubrium has six, rarely five, large mobile protrusions (sacs) covered by the gonads. The female gonads contain a large number of small eggs (diameter 74 um, spawned). The rim of the mouth is lined by six conspicuous knobs of nematocyst clusters; the knobs continue over the outside if the manubrium as gentle ridges without containing nematocysts. The long radial canals originate at the apex of manubrium, normally there are eight complete radial canals, two pairs of which may fuse near the manubrium. This branching pattern is variable. Between the complete radial canals, there are 2 to 4 centripetal, incomplete radial canals originating from the circular canal. The radial canals are pigmented darkly. The pigmentation of the complete canals fades towards the centre and then turns into a white star- or hexagonal shaped disk on top of stomach base. The complete radial canals are not in phase with the gonads. There are up to 55 marginal tentacles of a length of up to 3 mm. Each one has a red abaxial ocellus. The tentacles are bifurcated into an lower branch ending in an adhesive organ used for walking and adhering, and an upper branch with nematocyst clusters. The upper branch is longer than the lower one, it bears a terminal spherical cluster and up to six lateral clasps of nematocyst on each side. The lateral clasps are alternate in position. The tentacles are hollow and the lumen lined by a dark pigment. A nematocyst ring along the bell margin is completely lacking. Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles size class 1, (28-30.5)x(20-21)um.
b) stenoteles size class 2, (17.5-24)x(13-15)um.
c) stenoteles size class 3, (9.5-14.5)x(7-9.5)um.
d) stenoteles size class 4, (7-9)x(5.5-6.5)um.
e) desmonemes, discharged with 3-4 coils with bristles, (10.5-14.5)x(4-6)um.
Colours in life: gonads in female brown-yellow opaque, in male olive-green transparent, both gonads covered with black pigment towards the centre; lumen of tentacles and radial canals dark brown to black, apex of manubrium white; sucker pads of lower tentacle branch light yellow.
Newly released medusa:
Newly released medusa with bell diameter 0.5 mm, umbrella flat, with eight branching tentacles, lower branch with adhesive organs, upper branch with one terminal spherical nematocyst cluster and one pair of lateral clasps. With eight ocelli. Without nematocyst ring, without manubrial sacs, with six small nematocyst clusters on mouth margin. With eight short radial canals, medusae buds lacking (also during later development). Colour: pink.
Polyp stage:
Hydroid colonies arising from attached, ramified stolons. Hydranths arise directly from stolons and have no perisarc covered caulus. Hydranths spindle shaped, up to 1.2 mm high, with conical hypostome. With 4 to 5 oral capitate tentacles containing 8 to 10 chordoid gastrodermis cells. Filiform aboral tentacles absent. Medusa bud in middle of hydranth body, not covered by perisarc. Eight incipient tentacles of medusa visible from an early stage of development. The hydranths are very contractile and rather sensitive to stimuli; colour pink-orange.
Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles, very variable in size, (4.5-17.5)x(4-13)um.
b) desmonemes, also in tentacles, with ropy thread in nondischarged capsules, with bristles on inside of coils, discharged with 4 coils, (11.5-14.5)x(4-5.5)um. [details]
Adult medusa:
The adult medusa crawls on macroalgae and is unable to swim freely. The umbrella is a shallow bell and much wider than high, diameter is up to 4 mm without tentacles, the jelly is thin but noticeable. The velum is broad and fits closely around the manubrium which may protrude out of the subumbrella. The upper part of the tubular manubrium has six, rarely five, large mobile protrusions (sacs) covered by the gonads. The female gonads contain a large number of small eggs (diameter 74 um, spawned). The rim of the mouth is lined by six conspicuous knobs of nematocyst clusters; the knobs continue over the outside if the manubrium as gentle ridges without containing nematocysts. The long radial canals originate at the apex of manubrium, normally there are eight complete radial canals, two pairs of which may fuse near the manubrium. This branching pattern is variable. Between the complete radial canals, there are 2 to 4 centripetal, incomplete radial canals originating from the circular canal. The radial canals are pigmented darkly. The pigmentation of the complete canals fades towards the centre and then turns into a white star- or hexagonal shaped disk on top of stomach base. The complete radial canals are not in phase with the gonads. There are up to 55 marginal tentacles of a length of up to 3 mm. Each one has a red abaxial ocellus. The tentacles are bifurcated into an lower branch ending in an adhesive organ used for walking and adhering, and an upper branch with nematocyst clusters. The upper branch is longer than the lower one, it bears a terminal spherical cluster and up to six lateral clasps of nematocyst on each side. The lateral clasps are alternate in position. The tentacles are hollow and the lumen lined by a dark pigment. A nematocyst ring along the bell margin is completely lacking. Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles size class 1, (28-30.5)x(20-21)um.
b) stenoteles size class 2, (17.5-24)x(13-15)um.
c) stenoteles size class 3, (9.5-14.5)x(7-9.5)um.
d) stenoteles size class 4, (7-9)x(5.5-6.5)um.
e) desmonemes, discharged with 3-4 coils with bristles, (10.5-14.5)x(4-6)um.
Colours in life: gonads in female brown-yellow opaque, in male olive-green transparent, both gonads covered with black pigment towards the centre; lumen of tentacles and radial canals dark brown to black, apex of manubrium white; sucker pads of lower tentacle branch light yellow.
Newly released medusa:
Newly released medusa with bell diameter 0.5 mm, umbrella flat, with eight branching tentacles, lower branch with adhesive organs, upper branch with one terminal spherical nematocyst cluster and one pair of lateral clasps. With eight ocelli. Without nematocyst ring, without manubrial sacs, with six small nematocyst clusters on mouth margin. With eight short radial canals, medusae buds lacking (also during later development). Colour: pink.
Polyp stage:
Hydroid colonies arising from attached, ramified stolons. Hydranths arise directly from stolons and have no perisarc covered caulus. Hydranths spindle shaped, up to 1.2 mm high, with conical hypostome. With 4 to 5 oral capitate tentacles containing 8 to 10 chordoid gastrodermis cells. Filiform aboral tentacles absent. Medusa bud in middle of hydranth body, not covered by perisarc. Eight incipient tentacles of medusa visible from an early stage of development. The hydranths are very contractile and rather sensitive to stimuli; colour pink-orange.
Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles, very variable in size, (4.5-17.5)x(4-13)um.
b) desmonemes, also in tentacles, with ropy thread in nondischarged capsules, with bristles on inside of coils, discharged with 4 coils, (11.5-14.5)x(4-5.5)um. [details]
Schuchert, P. (2024). World Hydrozoa Database. Staurocladia wellingtoni Schuchert, 1996. Accessed at: https://marinespecies.org/hydrozoa/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=231756 on 2024-04-16
Date
action
by
2006-07-03 14:28:35Z
created
Camba Reu, Cibran
original description
Schuchert P. (1996). The marine fauna of New Zealand: Athecate hydroids and their medusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). <em>New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir.</em> 106 : 1-159. [details]
context source (Hexacorallia) Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. (look up in IMIS) [details]
basis of record Schuchert, P. 2005b. Species boundaries in the hydrozoan genus <i>Coryne</i>. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 36 (2005) 194-199, available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2005.03.021 [details] Available for editors
additional source Vervoort, W.; Schuchert, P. & van der Land, J. (2000-2007). as a contribution to UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms. (look up in IMIS) [details]
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> pp. 59-101., available online at https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8431 [details] Available for editors
context source (Hexacorallia) Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. (look up in IMIS) [details]
basis of record Schuchert, P. 2005b. Species boundaries in the hydrozoan genus <i>Coryne</i>. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 36 (2005) 194-199, available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2005.03.021 [details] Available for editors
additional source Vervoort, W.; Schuchert, P. & van der Land, J. (2000-2007). as a contribution to UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms. (look up in IMIS) [details]
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> pp. 59-101., available online at https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8431 [details] Available for editors
Present Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
Paratype MHNG INVE25379, geounit Wellington [details]
From editor or global species database
Description Adult medusa:
The adult medusa crawls on macroalgae and is unable to swim freely. The umbrella is a shallow bell and much wider than high, diameter is up to 4 mm without tentacles, the jelly is thin but noticeable. The velum is broad and fits closely around the manubrium which may protrude out of the subumbrella. The upper part of the tubular manubrium has six, rarely five, large mobile protrusions (sacs) covered by the gonads. The female gonads contain a large number of small eggs (diameter 74 um, spawned). The rim of the mouth is lined by six conspicuous knobs of nematocyst clusters; the knobs continue over the outside if the manubrium as gentle ridges without containing nematocysts. The long radial canals originate at the apex of manubrium, normally there are eight complete radial canals, two pairs of which may fuse near the manubrium. This branching pattern is variable. Between the complete radial canals, there are 2 to 4 centripetal, incomplete radial canals originating from the circular canal. The radial canals are pigmented darkly. The pigmentation of the complete canals fades towards the centre and then turns into a white star- or hexagonal shaped disk on top of stomach base. The complete radial canals are not in phase with the gonads. There are up to 55 marginal tentacles of a length of up to 3 mm. Each one has a red abaxial ocellus. The tentacles are bifurcated into an lower branch ending in an adhesive organ used for walking and adhering, and an upper branch with nematocyst clusters. The upper branch is longer than the lower one, it bears a terminal spherical cluster and up to six lateral clasps of nematocyst on each side. The lateral clasps are alternate in position. The tentacles are hollow and the lumen lined by a dark pigment. A nematocyst ring along the bell margin is completely lacking. Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles size class 1, (28-30.5)x(20-21)um.
b) stenoteles size class 2, (17.5-24)x(13-15)um.
c) stenoteles size class 3, (9.5-14.5)x(7-9.5)um.
d) stenoteles size class 4, (7-9)x(5.5-6.5)um.
e) desmonemes, discharged with 3-4 coils with bristles, (10.5-14.5)x(4-6)um.
Colours in life: gonads in female brown-yellow opaque, in male olive-green transparent, both gonads covered with black pigment towards the centre; lumen of tentacles and radial canals dark brown to black, apex of manubrium white; sucker pads of lower tentacle branch light yellow.
Newly released medusa:
Newly released medusa with bell diameter 0.5 mm, umbrella flat, with eight branching tentacles, lower branch with adhesive organs, upper branch with one terminal spherical nematocyst cluster and one pair of lateral clasps. With eight ocelli. Without nematocyst ring, without manubrial sacs, with six small nematocyst clusters on mouth margin. With eight short radial canals, medusae buds lacking (also during later development). Colour: pink.
Polyp stage:
Hydroid colonies arising from attached, ramified stolons. Hydranths arise directly from stolons and have no perisarc covered caulus. Hydranths spindle shaped, up to 1.2 mm high, with conical hypostome. With 4 to 5 oral capitate tentacles containing 8 to 10 chordoid gastrodermis cells. Filiform aboral tentacles absent. Medusa bud in middle of hydranth body, not covered by perisarc. Eight incipient tentacles of medusa visible from an early stage of development. The hydranths are very contractile and rather sensitive to stimuli; colour pink-orange.
Nematocysts:
a) stenoteles, very variable in size, (4.5-17.5)x(4-13)um.
b) desmonemes, also in tentacles, with ropy thread in nondischarged capsules, with bristles on inside of coils, discharged with 4 coils, (11.5-14.5)x(4-5.5)um. [details]
Habitat medusa coastal, clings to Cystophora algae [details]
Type locality Te Raekaihau Point, Wellington, New Zealand; -41.347, 174.791; 0.5 - 2 m [details]
