Clapper Hydroid

The clapper hydromedusa is the medusa stage of a small polyp. It grows on stones, under the low tide waterline and pinches off new polyps. The medusa has the shape of a bell, with four tentacles along the edge. In the center is a notable tunnel-shaped mouth. That is the clapper of the bell. In Dutch, this polyp is appropriately called a 'clapper bell'.

Coloration of the manubrium and bulbs varies, from light blue to red to almost black, ocelli black.

Boreal species. Occurs in the Barents and White Seas.

Hydroid = Syncoryme sarsi Loven

Umbrella has a rounded top. Velum narrow. Manubrium long, in live specimens extends far beyond the edge of the umbrella. A small projection extends into the umbrella tissue above the manubrium.

Height up to 14 mm, width up to 8 mm.

colonial, gonophores (no medusae)

Bay of Fundy; Atlantic coast of Newfoundland; Gulf of St. Lawrence, Magdalen Islands (from the eastern Bradelle valley to the west, as far as Cape North, including the Cape Breton Channel), Prince Edward Island (from the northern tip of Miscou Island, N.B. to Cape Breton Island south of Cheticamp, including the Northumberland Strait, Lower North Shore and Georges Bay to the Canso Strait causeway), and Middle North Shore (from Sept- Iles to Cape Whittle, including the Mingan Islands) to Cobscook Bay

upper epipelagic