COMPARATIVE FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY OF THE STAUROMEDUSAE

Abstract

Considerable variation in the gastrovascular system occurs among the two families of the Stauromedusae, or stalked jellyfish. These variations are illustrated by decriptions of three New England species, Lucernaria quadricornis, Haliclystus salpinx, and Thaumatoscyphus atlanticus, and are correlated with changes in the organization of the other, associated structures. Some misconceptions concerning the true significance of the gastric pockets are clarified. A coordinated comparison is made of the functional morphology of the two families, with an interpretation in terms of relative growth processes.