Solanderia ericopsis
| Solanderia ericopsis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Anthoathecata |
| Family: | Solanderiidae |
| Genus: | Solanderia |
| Species: | S. ericopis |
| Binomial name | |
| Solanderia ericopis (Carter 1873) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Solanderia ericopsis is a hydroid in the family Solanderiidae, the group commonly known as tree hydroids or sea fan hydroids. S. ericopsis forms very large, conspicuous colonies from 5 to 50 cm in height, which are often noted by divers.[2] They are usually strictly fan-shaped but can sometimes be bushy.[2]
The colonies can be unusually long-lived: during long-term monitoring of defined rock areas around the Poor Knights Islands, one researcher observed a single colony of S. ericopsis over fifteen years, during which it reached 50 cm in height.[2]
Distribution
Solanderia ericopsis is found only in New Zealand, all around the country but mostly in the North Island; it can occur in rather shallow water, at depths ranging from 2 to 200 metres.[3]
References
- ^ Funnell, Greig; et al. (January 2023). Todd, Amanda (ed.). Conservation status of indigenous marine invertebrates in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021 (PDF) (Report). New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-99-118365-1. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Schuchert, Peter (1996). The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Athecate Hydriods and their Medusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Wellington: NIWA. pp. 139–142. ISBN 978-0-478-08377-4.
- ^ "Critter of the Week: Solanderia – the tree hydroid". Critter of the Week. NIWA. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-05-29.