A survey of Zanclea, Halocoryne and Zanclella (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Anthomedusae, Zancleidae) with description of new species

The genera Zanclea, Halocoryne and Zanclella are surveyed, with description of all known species. including eight new ones of Zanclea (Z. bomala, Z. d ivergens, Z. fanella, Z. giancarloi, Z. medusopolypata, Z. retractilis, Z. gilii, Z. birobitoi), two new species of Halocoryne (H. frasca, H. pirainoi d), and two new ones of Zanclella (Z. diabolica, Z. glomboides). For most s pecies, the description covers the whole life cycle. The hydroids of this g roup can be symbiotic with either bryozoans, bivalves, or corals and only f ew species are not substrate-specialist. Symbiotic relationships led to pol ymorphism and colony integration with the hosts. The morphologies of hydroi d and medusa stages are often not consistent. so that species with very der ived hydroids have non-derived medusae (e.g., Halocoryne pirainoid), or spe cies with very derived medusae have non-derived hydroids (e.g., Zanclella d iabolica). The architecture of the newly released medusae of Zanclella is e xceptional due to a sharp compression of the exumbrella and of the presence of just two radial canals. A phylogenetic scenario is suggested, in spite of the inconsistencies in the rates of change in the two main stages of the cycle.