Hydromedusae of the Agulhas Current
Author
Buecher, Emmanuelle
Author
Goy, Jacqueline
Author
J, Mark
Author
Gibbons
text
African Invertebrates
2005
2005-12-31
46
27
69
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.7909936
2305-2562
7909936
Pegantha clara
R.P.
Bigelow, 1909
Pegantha clara
: R.P.
Bigelow 1909: 80
; Kramp 1961: 272; 1968: 126, figs 339, 340.
Description: Single immature, damaged specimen. Saucer-shaped umbrella, broader than tall;
4.8 mm
in diameter.
Exumbrella surface smooth
. Mesoglea thickened centrally, thinning to lappets. Velum broad. With eight equally-well developed peronia, shallow; similar number of marginal lappets, deep, square. With eight tentacles (though typically with between 20–40 when adult) arising from within mesoglea, at periphery of manubrium, long, solid and characteristically banded. Without secondary tentacles on umbrella margin. Mouth simple, circular. Manubrium without gastric pouches.
Peripheral canal
present,
narrow throughout length
.
3–5 statocysts
per marginal lappet;
otoporpae
present,
long and thin
;
length almost equal to lappet depth
. When mature, typically forming slightly crenulated diverticula of margin of oral wall on manubrium.
Material examined: H4990.
Comments: see
P
.
rubiginosa
.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Previously caught off
Madagascar
(Vanhöffen 1912) and off East Africa (Kramp 1957). Mainly epipelagic.