In november 1994 several specimens of an unknown hydroid were collected in
a tank of the Genoa Aquarium (Italy). The polyps, characterised by filiform
tentacles around a proboscis, displayed unusual asexual reproduction, lead
ing to a linear chain of three elements (strobilation) joined by alternate
oro-aboral polarity. This hydroid is very similar to another, unidentified
hydroid collected in 1954 in San Francisco Bay. The hydroid of the Genoa Aq
uarium released free medusae characterised by four marginal tentacles, four
radial canals and four oral tentacles around a tubular mouth. These featur
es indicate that the species belongs to the superfamily Bougainvillioidea.