| Leuckartiara spp. Phylum Cnidaria / Class Hydrozoa / Order Anthomedusae / Family Pandeidae |
Late spring and summer brings your best opportunity to find this
diminutive, inconspicuous hydromedusa. The transparent bell, which can be up to 2 cm
tall, is distinguished by a gelatinous cap at the apical end. This species is among
those anthomedusae that possess light sensitive ocelli at the tentacle bases. The
large, broad manubrium, frilly mouth, and folded gonads form the conspicuous orange or
yellow-brown colored central mass. The 4 radial canals are broad and ribbon-like,
and may have rippled edges. Long tentacles (from 1 to 4 dozen in number) are used to
capture gelatinous prey. Medusae of Leuckartiara are short-lived, probably lasting
only a month or two.
All photographs © David Wrobel and may not be used or copied without permission!