Glassy plume hydroid, decorator hydroid, delicate plume hydroid • Plumularia setacea
Identification
This feathery hydroid colony reaches 15 cm tall. The main stems are unbranched and bear small, light-coloured globules. These globules are amphora-shaped (oval, narrowing into a tubular neck) reproductive polyps. The feeding polyps attach directly to the side-branches along just one side. The numerous side branches occur in the same plane, meaning the colony has a flattened structure.
Habitat & Range
Glassy plume anemone attaches to kelp stipes and holdfasts, rocks, and floats in the intertidal and subtidal to 133 m deep. In the Eastern Pacific its range extends from southern Alaska to northern Mexico; it is found in other oceans around the world as well.
Similar Species
Other feather-like hydroids are Aglaophenia spp. (larger) and Abietenaria inconstans (feeding polyps occur on both sides of branches).
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/209141-Plumularia-setacea
This feathery hydroid colony reaches 15 cm tall. The main stems are unbranched and bear small, light-coloured globules. These globules are amphora-shaped (oval, narrowing into a tubular neck) reproductive polyps. The feeding polyps attach directly to the side-branches along just one side. The numerous side branches occur in the same plane, meaning the colony has a flattened structure.
Habitat & Range
Glassy plume anemone attaches to kelp stipes and holdfasts, rocks, and floats in the intertidal and subtidal to 133 m deep. In the Eastern Pacific its range extends from southern Alaska to northern Mexico; it is found in other oceans around the world as well.
Similar Species
Other feather-like hydroids are Aglaophenia spp. (larger) and Abietenaria inconstans (feeding polyps occur on both sides of branches).
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/209141-Plumularia-setacea
References
Cowles, D. (2015). Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 08/10/2015.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2015). Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. Accessed 08/10/2015.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2015).
Cowles, D. (2015). Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 08/10/2015.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2015). Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. Accessed 08/10/2015.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2015).