Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz |
|
Aglaophenia latirostris Nutting, 1900 | |
Ostrich-Plume Hydroid | |
Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Hydroida: Leptothecata: Aglaopheniidae | |
Geographic Range: British Columbia, Canada to Central America. | Synonyms: |
Back to: Hydrozoa | Back to: Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area |
Scott Creek, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 7 Mar 2009. |
Description: The tan to brown plumes are feather-like, each consists of a simple stalk with numerous, closely set lateral branches arising alternately on opposite sides. The polyps are small, and protected by exoskeletal cups (hydrothecae). Usually some branches bear enlarged areas called corbulae. |
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 5 Mar 2008. Close-up showing polyps. |
|
Scott Creek, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 7 Mar 2009. Close-up of corbulae. |