Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Note: Clytia delicatula has distinctive tumbler-shaped hydrothecae and ovoid neck amphora gonothecae. It was not previously reported in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and is well represented in Ecuadorian samples (Calder, et al., 2021). Clarke (1907) described Campanularia (?) obliqua from Panama, noting its small, creeping colonies with annulated pedicels and cylindrical hydrothecae. Fraser (1936) reassigned it to Clytia. The species’ validity has been debated, with some considering it synonymous with C. linearis. However, differences in colony structure and hydrothecal features suggest it remains distinct. Gibbons and Ryland (1989) examined syntype material of C. obliqua and found it branched with tall hydrothecae, differing from Clarke’s (1907) description. They concluded it was conspecific with C. linearis. However, C. obliqua shares more characteristics with C. hemisphaerica, C. gracilis, and C. elsaeoswaldae, suggesting it remains a valid species (Calder, et al., 2022). Syn.: Campanularia gravieri Billard, 1904, Campanularia linearis (Thornely, 1900), Campanularia obliqua Clarke, 1907, Clytia acutidentata Fraser, 1938, Clytia alternata Hargitt, 1924, Clytia carinadentata Fraser, 1938, Clytia foxi Billard, 1926, Clytia fragilis Congdon, 1907, Clytia gravieri (Billard, 1904), Clytia hendersoni Torrey, 1904, Clytia obliqua (Clarke, 1907), Clytia serrata Millard, 1958, Clytia tottoni (Leloup, 1935), Gonothyraea serialis Fraser, 1938, Laomedea (Obelia) bistriata Leloup, 1931, Laomedea tottoni Leloup, 1935, Obelia linearis Thornely, 1900 (Horton et al., 2021).

Origin: Cryptogenic

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: Galapagos Island in Post Office Bay, Floreana (Fraser, 1938); Isabela, Darwin and Floreana (Calder et., 2003). Tropical Eastern Pacific, Mexico, Gulf of California and Galapagos Islands (Calder et al., 2021).

• Appeltans, W. Bouchet, P., Boxshall, G.A., Fauchald, K., Gordon, D.P., Hoeksema, B.W., Poore, G.C.B., van Soest, R.W.M., Stöhr, S., Walter, T.C., Costello, M.J. (eds.) (2010) World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Available online at http://www.marinespecies.org.
• Calder, D.R. Carlton, J. T., Keith, I., Larson, K., McCann, L., Geller, J., Wheelock, M., Choong, H. H. C., & Ruiz, G. M. (2021) Additions to the hydroids (Cnidaria, hydrozoa) of marine fouling communities on the mainland of ecuador and in the galapagos islands Aquatic Invasions, 16(2), 208–252. https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2021.16.2.02
• Calder, D.R. Carlton, J. T., Larson, K., Mallinson, J. J., Choong, H. H. C., Keith, I., & Ruiz, G. M (2019) Hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from marine fouling assemblages in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Aquatic Invasions (2019) Volume 14, Issue 1: 21–58
• Calder, D.R. Mallinson, J.J., Collins, K. & Hickman, C.P. (2003) Additions to the Hydroids (Cnidaria) of the Galapagos, with a List of Species Reported from the Islands. J. Nat. Hist. 37:1173-1218.
• Fraser, C.M. (1939) Distribution of the hydroids in the collections of the Allan Hancock Expeditions. Fraser, M. (1939). Distribution of the hydroids in the collections of the Allan Hancock Expeditions. In Allan Hancock Pacific Expeditions. (Vol. 4, pp. 155–178).
• Horton, T. Horton, T., Kroh, A., Ahyong, S., Bailly, N., Boyko, C. B., Brandão, S. N., Gofas, S., Hooper, J. N. A., Hernandez, F., Holovachov, O., Mees, J., Molodtsova, T. N., Paulay, G., Decock, W., Dekeyzer, S., Poffyn, G., Vandepitte, L., Vanhoorne, B., Adlard, R., ... Zhao, Z. (2021) World Register of Marine Species. Available from https://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ.