Year: 2003
Type: book
Abstract: 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.
Authors: W. Vervoort, Jeanette E. Watson
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W655656323