Karen Cram, Canada
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Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus Brinckmann-Voss & Calder, 2013
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus Brinckmann-Voss & Calder, 2013
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus were described in 2013 by Anita Brinckmann-Voss as a new species from the coastal waters near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The specimens were collected in March, July and October 2012 on rocky bottoms among barnacles, sponges and sea squirts at a depth of 18 m in Weynton Passage, Broughton Strait. The polyps tend to grow in dense clusters, often covering several square centimeters.
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus most closely resembles Zyzzyzus robustustus Petersen, 1990 from Greenland, but differs from it in details.
This cnidarian with the unusual scientific name forms small clusters of very strong polyps of different sizes. The polyps are bright wine-red to deep red. Due to the thick stalks and the wine-red color, confusion with other species is relatively impossible.
The pomegranate Cuthonella (Cuthonella punicea) has specialized in feeding on the polyps of this hydrozoan species and has adapted its colour perfectly. Both Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus and its predator Cuthonella punicea are only known from British Columbia, Canada.
One source also mentions northern Washington as an occurrence.
Etymology: The Latin species name “rubusidaeus” refers to the raspberry color and appearance of the species as well as to the common name “raspberry hydroid” often given to this conspicuous species by biologists and divers near the type locality.
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus Brinckmann-Voss & Calder, 2013
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus were described in 2013 by Anita Brinckmann-Voss as a new species from the coastal waters near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The specimens were collected in March, July and October 2012 on rocky bottoms among barnacles, sponges and sea squirts at a depth of 18 m in Weynton Passage, Broughton Strait. The polyps tend to grow in dense clusters, often covering several square centimeters.
Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus most closely resembles Zyzzyzus robustustus Petersen, 1990 from Greenland, but differs from it in details.
This cnidarian with the unusual scientific name forms small clusters of very strong polyps of different sizes. The polyps are bright wine-red to deep red. Due to the thick stalks and the wine-red color, confusion with other species is relatively impossible.
The pomegranate Cuthonella (Cuthonella punicea) has specialized in feeding on the polyps of this hydrozoan species and has adapted its colour perfectly. Both Zyzzyzus rubusidaeus and its predator Cuthonella punicea are only known from British Columbia, Canada.
One source also mentions northern Washington as an occurrence.
Etymology: The Latin species name “rubusidaeus” refers to the raspberry color and appearance of the species as well as to the common name “raspberry hydroid” often given to this conspicuous species by biologists and divers near the type locality.
