Hydrozoans

Hydrozoans

Description

1. Sub-group of Gnidarians
2. Polyp and Medusa life stages
   • Polyp is stationary and buds free floating reproductive Medusa.
3. Huge diversity of body types and life cycles
4. Often develop colonies, which can take many different forms.
   • Coral-like (fire corals)
     • Unlike true corals which consist of many cells of an individual animal, Hydrozoan corals consist of individual members called Zooids that together function as a colonial animal(3)
   • Free floating (jellyfish-like)
     • Resemble jellyfish, actually a colony consisting of multiple groups of mature Medusa

Distribution

1. Found in every ocean around the world
2. Almost entirely in salt water