Hydromedusae of the Southern Ocean

This dataset is a scanned copy of ANARE Research Notes 5, which describes the 66 species of Hydromedusae found in the Southern Ocean. It lists all the known species, and with illustrated diagrams provides a guide to their taxonomic identification. It also includes general information about Hydromedusae and collection and preservation.Taken from the abstract:A total of 66 (including 3 doubtful) species of Hydromedusae have been found in the Southern Ocean. For each valid species the synonymy, vertical and horizontal distribution, and the diagnostic characters are given together with an illustration and a map of geographical distribution. Species not found in the Southern Ocean, but which occur in adjacent waters are included in the keys.The phylum Cnidaria, or Coelenterata, includes the familiar hydras, jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. Jellyfish fall into two classes, the Scyphoza (or Scyphomedusae) in which the medusa is the dominant and conspicuous individual in the life cycle, and the Hydrozoa (or Hydromedusae) which display either the polypoid (hydroid) or medusoid structure or pass through both forms in their life cycle. The hydromedusae consists of seven orders:AnthomedusaeLeptomedusaeLimnomedusaeNarcomedusaeTrachymedusaePteromedusaeSiphonophora (including Condrophora)Only the first six orders will be considered here. Although many Hydromedusae have a sessile hydroid stage in their life cycle, only the pelagic or medusoid stage will be dealt with in this handbook.The document is available for download as a pdf from the provided URL.