Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). are identified as a species of Hydrozoans belonging to the family Plumulariidae[1]. Better known as 'Glassy Plume Hydroid' The species plumularia setacea are sometimes also know as ‘little sea-bristles[2].’ They are a colony of polyps that can get up to 15cm in height[3]. While not harmful, they can produce a mild sting on bare skin[4]. They have a very wide spread distribrution, globally and can be found almost anywhere[5]. They are distinguishable by their feather-like appearance[6], not to be confused with the species Kirchenpaueria similis[6], which is very similar.
General Description edit
First discovered in 1758 by Linnaeus[1], the sessile marine hydroid Plumularia setacea is a single species belonging to the Plumularriidae family[1]. Genetic diversity within the species is high but widely dispersed, with numerous similar species. Characterized by its feather-like appearance, it features a brown central stem with alternating forms of side branches[6]. The colonies are connected by stolons at the base of the species[4].
These branches vary. One being a longer joint, which is made up of hydrotheca and nematothecae. The shorter branch consists only of nematophores[6]. Along the side of one of the side branches are the feeding polyps, which are attached directly[3]. These hydroids lack a medusa stage[7] and are primarily benthic. The colonies form a flat, two-dimensional plane, with a potential height of up to 15cm[3].
Ecology edit
Plumularia setacea are a marine species. Plumularia setacea are nearly cosmopolitan[8] as they are widely dispersed and have a high tolerance to environmental conditions. The species is mainly found in tropical to temperate waters[9], usually at depths of 1–30 meters. They can be found almost everywhere besides the Arctic and Antarctic oceans.
The species has been recorded in the north-east Atlantic, British Isles, South America, Norway, New Zealand, and Southern Australia[7]. Commonly found in coastal habitats and can be abundant in semi-sheltered areas[4].
Reproduction edit
Typically, colonies of the species become sexually mature in the spring and summer but are the most fertile in July. Normal months of breeding for this feather-like hydroid are June to September and once colonies reproduce, they die[7]. Along the main stem of the species ,there are polyps in the hydrothecae[9]. They have gonothecae. Notably, the gonothecae exhibit sexual dimorphism, with those of male are narrower and smaller than their female counterparts[9].
The species Plumularia setacea are gonochoristic and produce larvae rather than eggs[2]. The sperm swim from the male gonophores to the gonophores of the female, faciliting reproduction of the species[2].
Feeding edit
Most hydrozoans are filter feeders, as are the species, Plumularia setacae. They mainly feed on zooplankton or particles[4]. They are a carnivorous species[7].
Taxonomy[1] edit
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Leptothecata
Family: Plumulariidae
Genus: Plumularia
Species: plumularia setacea
References edit
1.^[1] Schuchert, Peter. “Plumularia Setacea (Linnaeus, 1758).” Worms - World Register of Marine Species - Plumularia Setacea (Linnaeus, 1758), 2014, www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117824#links. https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117824#links
2.^ [2]“Plumularia Setacea (Linnaeus, 1758).” Plumularia Setacea, Little Seabristle, www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Plumularia-setacea. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024. https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Plumularia-setacea.html#:~:text=Gonochoristic.,1663).
3.^[3] “Glassy Plume Hydroid • Plumularia Setacea.” Biodiversity of the Central Coast, www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/glassy-plume-hydroid-bull-plumularia setacea.html#:~:text=Glassy%20plume%20anemone%20attaches%20to,like%20hydroids%20are%20Aglaophenia%20spp. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024. https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/glassy-plume-hydroid-bull-plumularia-setacea.html#:~:text=Glassy%20plume%20anemone%20attaches%20to,like%20hydroids%20are%20Aglaophenia%20spp.
5.^ [5]Author links open overlay panelPeter Schuchert, et al. “High Genetic Diversity in the Hydroid Plumularia Setacea: A Multitude of Cryptic Species or Extensive Population Subdivision?” Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Academic Press, 3 Mar. 2014, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790314000797?casa_token=pftYdkDyH8EAAAAA%3AklGeKs7VztMCQVM8SMC2YD4V0SahUYQImi6HC3WCdkd_aFpM-jUfD2rPUUIMoKh-oCSYxrKG. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790314000797?casa_token=pftYdkDyH8EAAAAA:klGeKs7VztMCQVM8SMC2YD4V0SahUYQImi6HC3WCdkd_aFpM-jUfD2rPUUIMoKh-oCSYxrKG
4.^[4] Watson, J., 2011, Hydroid, Plumularia setaceoides, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 16 Apr 2024, https://portphillipmarinelife.net.au/species/7136.
6.^ [6]Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D6050 Accessed on 2024-04-15 https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D6050#:~:text=Distribution%3A%20Widespread%20and%20common%20throughout,opposed%20to%20colourless%20main%20stem.
7.^[7] “JTMD Species Summary.” Marine Invasions Research at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, invasions.si.edu/nemesis/jtmd/species_summary/Plumularia%20setacea. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024. https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/jtmd/species_summary/Plumularia%20setacea
8.^ [8]“Plumularia Setacea Linnaeus, 1758.” Plumularia Setacea Linnaeus 1758 - Plazi TreatmentBank, treatment.plazi.org/id/03D92045FF98FFE7E655279DC33DF857. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024. https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D92045FF98FFE7E655279DC33DF857
9.^[9] Lloyd, K.A., 2021. Plumularia setacea Glassy plume hydroid. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 15-04-2024]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2345 https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2345
- ^ a b c d e "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b c d "Plumularia setacea, Little seabristle". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b c d "Glassy plume hydroid • Plumularia setacea". Biodiversity of the Central Coast. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e "Port Phillip Bay Taxonomy Toolkit". portphillipmarinelife.net.au. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b Shuchert, Peter (March 3, 2014). "High genetic diversity in the hydroid Plumularia setacea: A multitude of cryptic species or extensive population subdivision?". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 76: 1–9. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.02.020. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Plumularia setacea - Marine Life Encyclopedia". www.habitas.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e invasions.si.edu https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/jtmd/species_summary/Plumularia%20setacea. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b "Plumularia setacea Linnaeus 1758 - Plazi TreatmentBank". treatment.plazi.org. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b c d "Glassy plume hydroid (Plumularia setacea) - MarLIN - The Marine Life Information Network". www.marlin.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-15.