Hydroids Kelly Cohen

A Colonial Animal Hydrozoa class Hydrozoa class “small predatory animals” “small predatory animals” Live in the intertidal & subtidal zones Live in the intertidal & subtidal zones Individual polyps all connected create a single organism Individual polyps all connected create a single organism Closely related to jellyfish Closely related to jellyfish

What do they do? They form colonial homes They form colonial homes Ex: for hermit crabs Ex: for hermit crabs Tuburlia is not colonial Tuburlia is not colonial Obelia attaches to rocks, seaweeds, substrates Obelia attaches to rocks, seaweeds, substrates Made of feeding polyps & reproductive polyps Made of feeding polyps & reproductive polyps Similar lifestyle to jellyfish & sea anemones Similar lifestyle to jellyfish & sea anemones Can cause skin irritation when rubbed against Can cause skin irritation when rubbed against

Portuguese Man-of-War “very much feared” “very much feared” A colony made up of many types of polyps A colony made up of many types of polyps Very painful sting, can be fatal! Very painful sting, can be fatal! Its polyps are actually very useful Its polyps are actually very useful One allows it to float (looks like a sail) One allows it to float (looks like a sail) One makes up the stinging tentacles One makes up the stinging tentacles Some kill & digest food Some kill & digest food Some contain the reproductive functions Some contain the reproductive functions

Hermit Crab Hydroid Research Hermit Crab Hydroid Research