Vervoort, W., & Watson, J. E. 2003. The marine fauna of New Zealand: Leptothecata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) (thecate hydroids). NIWA Biodiversity Memoir 119: 1-538.
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Vervoort, W. & Watson, J.E.
2003
The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Leptothecata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) (Thecate Hydroids)
This memoir deals with the New Zealand Leptolida Leptothecatae (formerly named Hydroida Thecaphora, also referred to as Hydroida Leptomedusae and colloquially known as thecate hydroids), based on collections of the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute (now incorporated in NIWA - the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research), Wellington; the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington; the Otago Museum, Dunedin; and the Portobello Marine Biological Station of the University of Otago, Dunedin. About 300 species are discussed and where necessary described and figured. This group of animals was the subject of a thorough survey by Dr. Patricia M. Ralph in the years 1957-1961 but largely based on shore-based collections, only a small portion of her material coming from deeper waters. The present survey covers a much wider area, extending into deep waters and dealing with a greatly increased number of species. In many cases the number of specimens studied was much larger than the comparatively modest number of samples at Dr. Ralph's disposal, so our views in certain cases differ from hers. Nevertheless we have closely followed Dr. Ralph's discussion, having access to the major part of her collections. The number of new species in the extensive collections is considerable, some 45 being described. The taxonomic part of the present report is preceded by introductory paragraphs including an historical introduction, a paragraph highlighting the general structure of Leptothecatae and a glossary. Descriptors: Cladocarpoides fertilis, Cladocarpus longicarpa, Cladocarpus rostriformis Family Lafoeidae-Zygophylacinae Zygophylax binematophoratus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Zygophylax parapacificus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Zygophylax polycarpa Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Zygophylax pseudafricanus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Family Haleciidae Halecium plicatocarpum Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Family Sertulariidae Crateritheca bidens Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Dictyocladium amplexum Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Dictyocladium thuja Vervoort & Watson, 2003 New genus Gigantotheca New species: Gigantotheca maxima Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Gigantotheca raukumarai Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Gonaxia australis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Gonaxia grandis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Gonaxia immersa Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Gonaxia intercalata Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Salacia macer Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Sertularella stolonifera Vervoort & Watson, 2003 ?Staurotheca megalotheca Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus amoenus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus candelabrum Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus howensis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus macroscyphus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus odontiferus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Symplectoscyphus spiraliformis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Tasmanaria pacifica Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Family Thyroscyphidae Symmetroscyphus australis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Family Syntheciidae Synthecium brucei Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Synthecium gordoni Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Family Aglaopheniidae Aglaophenia difficilis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Aglaophenia digitulus Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Aglaophenia hystrix Vervoort & Watson, 2003 Aglaophenia subspiralis Vervoort & Watson, 2003 New genus
Systematics, Taxonomy
Zoogeography, Biogeography (generalities), Geographic distribution
