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Taxon
Halecium interpolatum Ritchie, 1907
Nomenclature
-
Family: HaleciidaeGenus: Halecium
SUMMARY
Colonies branched, reaching a height of 30 mm. Hydrorhiza a mass of corrugated tubular stolons.
Stems fascicled, lower stem region a loose aggregation of, stolons becoming polysiphonic tubes, passing along lower branches to mid-region of colony; stems thereafter profusely and irregularly branched. Younger branches monosiphonic, typically a single branch given off from a geniculation of hydrophore below a hydrotheca, sometimes a second branch given off on opposite side of hydrophore; branches rugose to deeply corrugated and jointed but lacking true nodes; joints transverse to weakly oblique. Hydrophores variable in length, often corrugated, typically a short more or less smooth segment below hydrotheca.
Hydrotheca deep bowl-shaped, expanding strongly from diaphragm to margin; margin circular, rim strongly outrolled. Diaphragm distinct, some secondary and succeeding hydrophores arising in a linear series from diaphragm of preceding hydrotheca; hydrophores fairly short, typically deeply corrugated.
Hydranths with c. 20 – 24 rather stubby tentacles.
Male gonotheca ovoid to balloon-shaped, flattened, inserted on a very short narrow pedicel in an axil or in a hydrotheca, a minute apical protuberance visible in some gonothecae. Gonophores near maturity, almost filling cavity of gonotheca.
Perisarc of stems and branches very thick, thinner on hydrotheca and gonotheca.
Colour (preserved material), pale honey brown, youngest branches yellowish, gonophores darker brown.