Family ATOLLIDAE Bigelow, 1909

Museums

Regional Maps

• Collaspidae Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [488] [no longer recognised; the genus Collaspis was merged with Atolla by Mayer (1910: 561), after Fewkes (1886: 934) observed that the characters of both families were present in the same specimens].

Introduction

The Atollidae has only one genus, Atolla, comprising no less than 12 described species worldwide. However, only about four species are generally considered valid. Of these, only one, Atolla wyvillei, has been found in Australian waters from a few disparate collections. It seems likely that additional species will be found including A. vanhoffeni, which has been collected from New Zealand waters.

At first glance, the atollids look like a flying saucer, having a flattish body with a well-developed furrow around the central disk, and more than eight rhopalia alternating with an equal number of tentacles. Species are distinguished on the basis of stomach shape, tentacle number and pigmentation.

The genus Atolla was originally placed into the family Collaspidae. However, the genus Collaspis was later shown by Fewkes (1886) to be identical to Atolla, with both forms being present on the same individual.

Bigelow (1909: 21) was the first to apply the family name Atollidae. Curiously, however, Mayer (1910: 561) retained the family name Collaspidae, while regarding the genus Collaspis as a junior synonym of Atolla. Since that time, the family Atollidae has been widely accepted.

Diagnosis

Coronatae with a small to medium-sized (3-15cm diameter) umbrella, flattened, disc-like. Rhopalia 16-32, alternating with equal number of tentacles.

Diagnosis References

Larson, R.J. 1986. Pelagic scyphomedusae (Scyphozoa: Coronatae and Semaeostomeae) of the Southern Ocean. Biology of the Antarctic Seas XVI, Antarctic Research Series, Vol. 41. 59-165 pp. [68]

General References

Bigelow, H.B. 1909. Reports on the scientific results of the expedition to the eastern tropical Pacific, in charge of Alexander Agassiz, by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross from Oct. 1904 to March 1905, Lieut. Commander L.M. Garrett, U.S.N., commanding. XVI The Medusae. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard College 37: 1–243, pls 1–48

Fewkes, J.W. 1886. Report on the medusae collected by the U.S. Fish Commission steamer 'Albatross' in the region of the Gulf Stream in 1883–84. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish. for 1884:. Report United States Commissioner of Fisheries 1884: 927–977, 10 pls

Fewkes, J.W. 1886. Report on the medusae collected by the U.S. Fish Commission steamer 'Albatross' in the region of the Gulf Stream in 1883–84. Rep. U.S. Comm. Fish. for 1884:. Report United States Commissioner of Fisheries 1884: 927–977, 10 pls [934]

Mayer, A.G. 1910. Medusae of the World. Vol. 1 and 2, The Hydromedusae. Vol. 3, The Scyphomedusae. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution 735 pp., 76 pls. [reprinted by A. Asher & Co., 1977]

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