Snail fur [Hydractinia echinata]
Description
Hydractinia echinata, commonly known as snail fur, is a marine hydroid found in Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Sea. It forms colonies on shells inhabited by hermit crabs. The colonies are composed of individual polyps that specialize in different tasks. This species has a unique reproductive system in which the gonads are located in the polyps rather than in the medusa. The color varies from white to a dark brown depending on the diet of the animal.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Hydroids, Fire Corals, and Stinging Anemones
Hydrozoa
|
| Order |
Leptothecata
Leptothecata
|
| Family |
Hydractiniid hydroids
Hydractiniidae
|
| Genus |
Hydractinia
Hydractinia
|