Tubularia
| Tubularia | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Anthoathecata |
| Family: | Tubulariidae |
| Genus: | Tubularia Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Species | |
Tubularia is a genus of hydroids that appear to be furry pink tufts or balls at the end of long strings, thus causing them to be sometimes be called "pink-mouthed" or "pink-hearted" hydroids. Their average height is 40–60 mm and the diameter of the polyp and tentacles is 10mm. Tubularia indivisa and Ectopleura larynx can be difficult to distinguish and the two often grow together. In E. larynx the stems branch while in T. indivisa they are unbranched.[1]
Life cycle
During the summer time, sperm are released into the water and attracted to female reproductive structures by means of a chemical substance. Internal fertilization occurs in the female medusoids.The fertilized eggs develop into actinula.[2] These larvae develop directly into a new polyp. Although the medusa are attached to the polyp, the life cycle resembles that of typical Cnidarian with the polyp reproducing asexually and the medusa producing egg and sperm.[3]
External links
- New Jersey Scuba Diver - Plant-like Animals
- Marine Life Encyclopedia
- MBL Marine Organisms Database page
References
 | This subphylum Medusozoa-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |