Nausithoe planulophora ( Werner, 1971 )

Molinari, Clarissa G., Collins, Allen G. & Morandini, André C., 2023, A morphological review of the jellyfish genus Nausithoe Kölliker, 1853 (Nausithoideae, Coronatae, Scyphozoa, Cnidaria), Zootaxa 5336 (1), pp. 1-32 : 15-18

Nausithoe planulophora ( Werner, 1971)

( Fig. 11 )

Stephanoscyphus planulophorus Werner, 1971: 125–135 , figs 2–8.

Nausithoe planulophora — Jarms, 1990: 11.

Neotype ZMH C9742 .

Material examined: Living polyps kept in laboratory cultures (from Werner’s original culture; submarine caves in Marseille, France, 1969; 10–20 m depth; H. Zibrowius col.).

Diagnosis: polyp—solitary with 16 cusps per whorl.

Description: Based on original description, and Werner & Hentschel (1983). No medusa. Polyp solitary; longest specimen measuring 20 mm in total length; 1 mm aperture diameter; 0.2 mm basal disc diameter; 16 cusps per whorl and 4–5 whorls; 30 tentacles. Planuloid less than 0.5 mm in diameter; body at first spherical, then ellipsoidal.

Type locality: Marseille, France (submarine caves, 10–20 m depth).

Distribution: Mediterranean coast of France and Italy.

Remarks: The observation of life cycle (planuloid production) is essential to differentiate this species.

Figures

FIGURE11.Nausithoeplanulophora. A—ImageextractedfromWerner (1971, fig.6);a:intermediatestageof thetransformation of the ephyrae into planulae; b: fully developed flagellated planulae. B—Polyp from laboratory culture releasing planulae (pl). C—Polyp with tentacle crown extended.