APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

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Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- colony, non-reproductive stolon on red algae 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- colony, non-reproductive stolon on red algae 2

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- hydranth with nineteen tentacles, on red algae 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- fully extended hydranth under microscope 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- with 0.1mm division rule 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- hydrotheca cup and rim 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- hydranth under microscope

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- annulated hydrotheca 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- location 1

Further specimens:

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- on larger piece of bryozoan covered algae 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- habit on algal frond 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- habit on algal frond 2

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- lateral view on frond 1

Haleciid hydroid
Halecium sp.
- location 2

The specimens above are non-reproductive stolons which was found on red algae as part of a fouling community on a pontoon at Newlyn Marina, Newlyn, Cornwall, 15.08.20 and 26.08.20. The bryozoan covering the algae on which the species was found was determined to be Celleporella hyalina.

The specimen here is non-reproductive which is why it is not possible to get to species level. It is though possible that this species could be the southern species Halecium pusillum, as the non-branching habit and hydranth fits very well. Southern species are always a possibility in West Cornwall and should never be excluded in any determination because so many have already arrived. Hopefully reproductive material will come to light that makes the identity conclusive.

Thanks to Luis Martell for his advice on this specimen.

Ref: Taxonomic characters from the hydranths of live thecate
hydroids: European Haleciidae (Cnidaria: Leptothecatae)
P.F.S. Cornelius

The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help

people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.