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Family ATOLLIDAE Bigelow, 1909


Compiler and date details

June 2012 - Lisa-ann Gershwin

DRAFT RECORD

This taxon is under review. This record is released now for public view, prior to final verification. For further information or comment email us.



 

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.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Aug-2022 MEDUSOZOA Petersen, 1979 13-Oct-2015 MODIFIED Dr Lisa Gershwin
13-Aug-2013 MODIFIED