Clytia hemisphaerica

Erling Svensen This tiny hydroid - any that knows this one? From Norway, 15 meter of seawater.

Erling Svensen Thanks Dawn....

Bernard Picton I think Clytia hemisphaerica Erling.

Sue Daly Is anyone else seeing these little critters, White Cross Hydromedusa, Staurophora mertensi? We have quite a few down here in Sark. I can't find out much about them but it seems they are more of an arctic species. I know the sea's a bit cold this year but…..!

Marco Faasse How large are they? If not larger than about 2 cm they could be Eucheilota maculata. Medusae of this species have a dark spot (maculata) on each of the 4 sides between the gonads. Are these visible on one of your photos? In fact there are several similar species, but the spots are diagnostic for E. maculata.

Fiona Crouch Yep saw loads yesterday around Plymouth. Keith Hiscock and I were just talking about them today but he couldn't remember the name. Well think it was these.

Sue Daly They were about 4cm across

Marco Faasse Most hydromedusae don't grow that large. Clytia islandica is a possibility; all characters seem to be OK. Are the lips of the stomach crenulate? Clytia hemisphaerica, C. gracilis and Lovenella clausa stay significantly smaller and should have less tentacles.

Keith Hiscock I will print-out your pic. Sue and show it to our planktonologists. Yesterday, they identified a very poor pic that I took of the little 2-3cm across medusae that we are getting loads of here as Cosmetina pilosella.

Erling Svensen Could it be Staurophora mertensi? http://www.oceaneyephoto.com/photo_5352512.html

Penny Martin We have been seeing thousands around in Orkney for about 6 weeks in lots of different places round the islands ...... all sizes from about 10 mm upwards ... I have lots of photos ( see Snorkel Orkney) usually with Sarsia tubulosa and pleurobrachia pileus

David Fenwick Snr Does anyone know what species this is? Was found washed up on the shore at Battery Rocks, Penzance today. It's possibly about 20mm in diameter.

Keith Hiscock Don't know - but I know a man who might. I'll take a print into the lab. on Tuesday.

David Fenwick Snr Thanks Keith Hiscock

Rachel Shucksmith could it be Tiaropsis multicirrata (pg 278 of Russel)?

David Fenwick Snr Marie Hawkins at Plymouth University has just identified this as Clytia hemisphaerica.

David Fenwick Snr She used info from North-West European Thecate Hydriods and their Medusa Pt 2. Paul F.S. Cornelius

David Fenwick Snr Chalk and cheese!

David Fenwick Snr Yes same here.

Brendan Oonk This surprises me. I've only seen green Clytia. Is their color influenced by what they eat?

David Fenwick Snr Have just realised the significance of another image I have of the one posted below from Battery Rocks. It shows the interior of the bell towards the left of the image.

Keith Hiscock I showed your pic of the beast to David Conway who does much plankton sampling and usually 'knows'. This time he was stumped. So, anyone else got an identification?

Rachel Shucksmith my only other suggestion would be Clytia islandicum depending on whether you can see on your pictures whether they are marginal vesicles or ocelli.

David Fenwick Snr Marie Hawkins at Plymouth University has just identified this as Clytia hemisphaerica.

David Fenwick Snr She used info from North-West European Thecate Hydriods and their Medusa Pt 2. Paul F.S. Cornelius