Pandeopsis ikarii (Uchida, 1927)

Buecher, Emmanuelle, Goy, Jacqueline, J, Mark & Gibbons, 2005, Hydromedusae of the Agulhas Current, African Invertebrates 46, pp. 27-69 : 43

Pandeopsis ikarii (Uchida, 1927)

Tiaranna ikarii: Uchida 1927: 208 , fig. 35.

Pandeopsis scutigera: Kramp 1959 c: 232 , fig. 7; 1961: 113, 444.

Pandeopsis ikarii: Kramp 1968: 41 , fig. 105.

Description: Single immature specimen. Bell-shaped umbrella, slightly taller than broad, without apical projection; 1.7 mm in height. Exumbrella surface smooth. Mesoglea thick. Velum broad. Peripheral canal conspicuous; four broad radial canals present, with smooth margin; no centripetal canals. With four marginal tentacles (mature specimens typically have up to 16) arising from conspicuous, conically swollen bulbs on umbrella margin; bulbs without abaxial spur. Tentacles long, hollow. 8–24 small rudimentary bulbs present, no tentaculae; 1–2 alternating with larger tentacles. Manubrium quadrangular, short (less than half depth of bell cavity), broad, attached to subumbrella in proximal region, connected to radial canals by long mesenteries. Mouth simple, with four lips; without gastric peduncle. Without statocysts. With ocelli in all tentacular and rudimentary bulbs on umbrella margin. Four sheet-like, smooth gonads covering interradial surface of manubrium (apparently each with 3–4 reddish spots).

Material examined: H5023.

Comments: This is the only species in this genus.

Distribution: Widespread in tropical and warm temperate waters of Indo-west Pacific. This is the first record from the west Indian Ocean. Bathypelagic.