The life-cycle of Bythotiara huntsmani (Fraser 1911) (Calycopsidae, Hydrozoa, Cnidaria)

Abstract

The medusa stage of the hydroid Endocrypta huntsmani (Fraser 1911) is described. The species is transferred to the genus Bythotiara. The hydroid forms a colony in the prebranchial zone of ascidians. The medusa has no marginal bulbs; it has four radial canals and four perradial tentacles with a cnidocyst concentration on each tip. The manubrium has four pointed lips with a band of cnidocyst clusters. There are eight adradial gonads with weak and irregular folds. The medusae live 20 to 30 days.