Redescription of Dentitheca bidentata (Cnidaria : Hydrozoa, Plumulariidae), with notes on its life cycle

Based on newly collected specimens and type material the plumulariid hydroi d Dentitheca bidentata (Jaderholm, 1920) is re-described, and information o n its life cycle provided. The specimens were found on algae, collected in shallow waters on the southeastern coast of Brazil. Dentitheca bidentata pr oduces a short-lived medusoid. Male and female medusoids are typically pres ent on the same hydrocaulus. Comparisons of the type material of D. bidenta ta and D. crosslandi indicate that the original description of the gonothec ae of the latter was inaccurate and the two are here considered conspecific .