Abstract
The polyp and medusa of Dipurena bicircella n. sp., a metagenic hydrozoan from Northern California, USA, is described. The arrangement of capitate tentacles of the polyp, in two alternating cycles or circlets, is unique to the genus Dipurena as well as to the family Corynidae. Medusae released in the laboratory attained sexual maturity in 2 weeks. The adult medusa can be distinguished from other medusae of the genus by means of 2 gonad rings, a slight terminal nematocyst cluster on each tentacle, and a relatively small size (about 2 mm in bell height). The polyp was not found in association with sponges, as is the case with some of the other polyps of the genus Dipurena. The medusa is not yet known from the plankton.
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Communicated by J.S. Pearse, Santa Cruz
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Rees, J.T. Polyp and medusa of Dipurena bicircella n. sp. (Hydrozoa: Corynidae) from Northern California. Mar. Biol. 39, 197–202 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387005
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387005