Hebella cf. dispolians ( Warren, 1909 )

Galea, Horia R., 2007, Hydroids and hydromedusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from the fjords region of southern Chile, Zootaxa 1597 (1), pp. 1-116 : 51

Hebella cf. dispolians ( Warren, 1909)

(fig. 11F, table 14)

Lafoea dispolians Warren, 1909: 105 , pl. 1 figs 1–2

Hebella dispolians: Millard, 1975: 180 , fig. 59E; Boero et al., 1997: 14, fig. 6. Material examined. Stn. ICA — 13.iii. 2006, 12 m, S146: several hydrothecae, without gonothecae, epizoic on Symplectoscyphus subdichotomus (MHNG INVE 53461).

Type locality. Isipingo , Natal, India .

Description. Most probably a parasitic species, with hydrorhiza penetrating into the perisarc of its host, i.e. Symplectoscyphus subdichotomus . Most often, only the distal part of the hydrothecae arise from the hydrothecal openings of the host; occasionally, the hydrotheca is entirely exposed and a pedicel of variable length (but always shorter than hydrotheca itself) may be observed. Hydrothecae tubular, with thick perisarc, becoming thinner towards distal end; perisarc smooth to slightly undulated, especially in middle part of hydrotheca. Rim circular, even, not everted. No diaphragm has been observed at base of hydrotheca. Hydranth with 10–12 filiform tentacles. Gonothecae absent.

Remarks. The present material closely resembles Millard’s (1975) description of this species from South Africa, particularly in growth habit and in the shape and dimensions of the hydrothecae. The gonotheca of H. dispolians still remain to be discovered, and Boero et al. (1997) kept the species provisionally valid until the knowledge of its reproduction is elucidated.

World distribution. India ( Warren 1909), South Africa ( Millard 1975).

Records from Chile. The present material was found at Isla Camello; it is the first record for Chile.