Ectopleura crocea (Agassiz, 1862)

Figures 25-37. Tubularia ralphi. Fig. 25. Mature female hydranth with gonophores, drawn from underwater photograph. Fig. 26. Transverse section through mid-stern region showing 2 longitudinal canals. Fig. 27. Nearly mature female gonophore with transparent apical crests and protuding spadix. Figs 28-30. Morphological variations of nearly mature male gonophore (all drawn to same scale). Fig. 28. Most commonly occurring gonophore without apical processes. Fig. 29. Gonophore with bun-shaped apical process. Fig. 30. Gonophore with incipient lateral crests. Fig. 31. Newly liberated actinula. Fig. 32. Young hydranth 24-36 hours after settlement. Figs 33-37. Nernatocysts (all drawn to same scale). Fig. 33. Heterotrichous anisorhiza from male gonophore. Fig. 34. Basitrichous isorhiza from female gonophore. Fig. 35. Stenotele from male gonophore. Fig. 36. StenoteIe from hydranth. Fig. 37. Desmoneme from hydranth.

From Watson, J.E. (1980) The identity of two tubularian hydroids from Australia with a description and observations on the reproduction of Ralpharia magnifica gen. et sp. nov. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 41: 53-63

Photographer: Watson, Jeanette. Publisher: Watson, Jeanette.