Campanulariidae

Taxobox
name = Campanulariidae


image_width = 240px
image_caption = Colony of "Obelia" sp.
regnum = Animalia
subregnum = Eumetazoa
phylum = Cnidaria
subphylum = Medusozoa
classis = Hydrozoa
subclassis = Leptolinae
ordo = Leptomedusae
subordo = Proboscidoidea
familia = Campanulariidae
familia_authority =
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = About 17, see text

Campanulariidae is a family of animals in the phylum Cnidaria, or stinging celled animals. Campanulariidae is comprised entirely of hydroids, a Greek term meaning "Water Animals" applied to the plant-like polyp colonies of the class Hydrozoa. All species of Campanulariidae are aquatic in habitat, primarily inhabiting coastal regions and tidal pools.

"Obelia" contains probably the most well known species of this phylum, and include four species. All are around 20-35cm in height with a series of branches carrying the individual polyps. One species, "Obelia longissima", is unique for its ability to produce Obelin, a photoprotein which allows for bioluminscence.

The genus "Laomedea" includes such species as "Laomedea angulata" and "Laomedea flexuos", which are similar in appearance to the Obelia, though are smaller and lack a medusae stage present in "Obelia".

Genera [MarineSpecies.org (2008)]

* "Billardia"
* "Campanularia" - includes "Campanula"
* "Clytia" - includes "Phialidium"
* "Gastroblasta"
* "Gastroblastea"
* "Gonothyraea"
* "Hartlaubella"
* "Laomedea"
* "Multioralis"
* "Obelia"
* "Orthopyxis"
* "Pseudoclytia"
* "Rhizocaulus"
* "Silicularia"
* "Tulpa"
* "Verticillina"
* "Zelounies"

Footnotes

References

* (2008): [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1606 Campanulariidae] . Retrieved 2008-JUL-08.