Pegantha laevis H.B. Bigelow, 1909

Buecher, Emmanuelle, Goy, Jacqueline, J, Mark & Gibbons, 2005, Hydromedusae of the Agulhas Current, African Invertebrates 46, pp. 27-69 : 33

Pegantha laevis H.B. Bigelow, 1909

Pegantha laevis: H.B. Bigelow 1909: 97 , pl. 16, fig. 1, pl. 20, figs 4–6, pl. 27, figs 1–7; Kramp 1961: 273;

1968: 126, fig. 341.

Description: Two immature specimens from two stations. Flat, saucer-shaped umbrella, broader than tall, up to 2.3 mm in diameter. Exumbrella surface smooth. Mesoglea thickened centrally, thinning to lappets. Velum broad. With up to 12 equally-well developed peronia, shallow; a similar number of marginal lappets, deep, square. 10–12 (normally 16–26 in adult specimens) tentacles arising from within mesoglea, at periphery of manubrium, long, solid and characteristically banded. Without secondary tentacles on umbrella margin. Mouth simple, circular. Manubrium without gastric pouches. Peripheral canal present, broad throughout. 5–7 statocysts per marginal lappet; with otoporpae, thin, shorter than width of peripheral canal. When mature, typically forming diverticula of margin of oral wall on manubrium; sac-shaped, with papilliform processes.

Material examined: H4988.

Comments: see P. rubiginosa .

Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Has been collected previously along west coast of South Africa and off East Africa (Kramp 1957). Epipelagic.