Life history of <i>Perarella schneideri</i> (Hydrozoa, Cytaedidae) in the Ligurian Sea

Giorgio Bavestrello; Stefania Puce; Carlo Cerrano; Andrea Balduzzi

doi:10.3989/scimar.2000.64s1141

Life history of Perarella schneideri (Hydrozoa, Cytaedidae) in the Ligurian Sea

Authors

Giorgio Bavestrello Istituto di Scienze del Mare dell’Università di Ancona
Stefania Puce Istituto di Scienze del Mare dell’Università di Ancona
Carlo Cerrano Dipartimento per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse dell’Università di Genova
Andrea Balduzzi Dipartimento per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse dell’Università di Genova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2000.64s1141

Keywords:

Hydrozoa, Cytaeididae, life cycle, trofic strategy, parasitism, commensalism, Bryozoa

Abstract

Perarella schneideri is a cytaeidid hydroid living in association with the bryozoan Schizoporella longirostris. In this study we have distinguished the presence of two kinds of polyps in its colonies: large gastrozooids and very extensible filiform polyps with 4 short tentacles. A study of the relationships between the hydroid and its host indicates a parasitic behaviour of P. schneideri on bryozoan adult colonies, and predation on bryozoan larvae. Study of hydroid stomach contents indicates that the trophic strategy of P. schneideri depends on two food sources: (i) a benthic one, mainly constituted of nematodes and polychaetes and (ii) a bryozoan source, which is performed in various ways. The Perarella schneideri colonies are, in turn, a food source for halacarids which perforate the hydranth wall and, penetrating the gastrovascular cavity, suck the semi-digested prey without evident damage to the polyps.

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Published

2000-12-30

How to Cite

Bavestrello G, Puce S, Cerrano C, Balduzzi A. Life history of Perarella schneideri (Hydrozoa, Cytaedidae) in the Ligurian Sea. Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2000Dec.30 [cited 2025Feb.22];64(S1):141-6. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/801

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Issue

Vol. 64 No. S1 (2000)

Section

Articles

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