Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).

In this review the history of discovery of siphonophores, from the first formal description by Carl Linnaeus in 1785 to the present, is summarized, and species richness together with a summary of world-wide distribution of this pelagic group within the clade Hydrozoa discussed. Siphonophores exhibit...

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Main Author: Gillian M Mapstone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3916360?pdf=render
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author Gillian M Mapstone
author_facet Gillian M Mapstone
author_sort Gillian M Mapstone
collection DOAJ
description In this review the history of discovery of siphonophores, from the first formal description by Carl Linnaeus in 1785 to the present, is summarized, and species richness together with a summary of world-wide distribution of this pelagic group within the clade Hydrozoa discussed. Siphonophores exhibit three basic body plans which are briefly explained and figured, whilst other atypical body plans are also noted. Currently, 175 valid siphonophore species are recognized in the latest WoRMS world list, including 16 families and 65 genera. Much new information since the last review in 1987 is revealed from the first molecular analysis of the group, enabling identification of some new morphological characters diagnostic for physonect siphonophores. Ten types of nematocysts (stinging cells) are identified in siphonophores, more than in any other cnidarian; these are incorporated into batteries in the side branches of the tentacles in most species (here termed tentilla), and tentilla are reviewed in the last section of this paper. Their discharge mechanisms are explained and also how the tentilla of several physonect siphonophores are modified into lures. Of particular interest is the recent discovery of a previously unknown red fluorescent lure in the tentilla of the deep sea physonect Erenna, the first described example of emission of red light by an invertebrate to attract prey.
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spelling doaj.art-7358371c26f04b66bf31d59727bd106e2022-12-22T02:24:54ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0192e8773710.1371/journal.pone.0087737Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).Gillian M MapstoneIn this review the history of discovery of siphonophores, from the first formal description by Carl Linnaeus in 1785 to the present, is summarized, and species richness together with a summary of world-wide distribution of this pelagic group within the clade Hydrozoa discussed. Siphonophores exhibit three basic body plans which are briefly explained and figured, whilst other atypical body plans are also noted. Currently, 175 valid siphonophore species are recognized in the latest WoRMS world list, including 16 families and 65 genera. Much new information since the last review in 1987 is revealed from the first molecular analysis of the group, enabling identification of some new morphological characters diagnostic for physonect siphonophores. Ten types of nematocysts (stinging cells) are identified in siphonophores, more than in any other cnidarian; these are incorporated into batteries in the side branches of the tentacles in most species (here termed tentilla), and tentilla are reviewed in the last section of this paper. Their discharge mechanisms are explained and also how the tentilla of several physonect siphonophores are modified into lures. Of particular interest is the recent discovery of a previously unknown red fluorescent lure in the tentilla of the deep sea physonect Erenna, the first described example of emission of red light by an invertebrate to attract prey.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3916360?pdf=render
spellingShingle Gillian M Mapstone
Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
PLoS ONE
title Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
title_full Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
title_fullStr Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
title_full_unstemmed Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
title_short Global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa).
title_sort global diversity and review of siphonophorae cnidaria hydrozoa
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3916360?pdf=render
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