HYDRIDS OF R. V. "METEOR" 5/2 EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTHERN RED SEA AND GULF OFADEN

HYDRIDS OF R. V. “METEOR” 5/2 EXPEDITION TO THE
SOUTHERN RED SEA AND GULF OFADEN
By
M. EL BESHBEESHY*
*National Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries Alexandria, Egypt
Key Words: Thecate Hydroids of Gulf of Aden.
ABSTRACT
During the Expedition of R. V “METEOR” Cruise 5,leg 2 (2.2­
16.3.1987) to the southern Red Sea and Gulf ofAden hydroids were
collected beside other marine organisms by means ofdredge, box corer
and beam trawl. The present work is to a great extent restricted to the
GulfofAden.
A total of 20 species were recordedfrom the present collection, 12
species are reportedfrom the GulfofAdenfor the first time: Zygophylax
millardae Rees & Vervoort 1987, Synthecium elegans Allman, 1872,
Abietinaria filicula (Ellis & Solander 1786), Diaphasia mutulata Busk
1852, Thyroscyphus fruticosus Esper 1793, Cnidoscyphus aequalis
Warren 1908, Sertularella campanulata Warren 1908, Sertularella
mediterranea Hartlaub 1901, Sertularella polyzonias Linnaeus 1758,
Sertularella diaphana (Allman 1885), Antennella secundaria Gmelin
1791, and Ventromma halecioides Alder 1859. In the same time two
species of the 12 new recordedfor the GulfofAden are also recorded
for the first time for the Red Sea (St.230): Zygophylax millardae and
Sertularella diaphana. Another one species is recordedfor the first time
in the Red Sea (St. 230): Acryptolaria conferta (Allman 1877). One more
species is new to science: Macrorhynchia meteor (ST230 Red Sea). and
one new variety: Gymnangium eximium millardae n. v (St. 230 Red
Sea). Three species are already known from the Gulf of Aden:
Halecium bean;; (Johnstr;Jn 1838), Clytia latitheca Millard & Bouillon
1973, and Lytocarpia flexuosaflexuosa (Lamouroux 1816). The rest 2