Superfamily INSCAPULATAE Stiasny, 1921

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Introduction

The superfamily Inscapulatae comprises three families: Lychnorhizidae, Catostylidae and Lobonematidae. All have representatives in Australian waters.

Members of the Inscapulatae are easily identified by their lack of scapulets on the upper portions of the oral arms, and by their continuous subgenital porticus. In the Lychnorhizidae, there are centripetal, usually blindly ending and not anastomosing canals between the 16 radial canals, and the oral arms are broad and much-folded. In the Catostylidae, the intracircular network of anastomosing canals communicates with the ring canal, but not always with the 16 radial canals; the eight rhopalar canals extend to the umbrella margin, the eight interrhopalar only to the ring canal; and the oral arms are pyramidal and cauliflower-like in appearance. In the Lobonematidae, the intracircular network of anastomosing canals communicates with the ring canal and with some or all of the 16-32 radial canals, but not with the stomach; the oral arms have window-like openings in the membranes; and the marginal lappets are elongated and tentacle-like.

Diagnosis

Dactyliophorae without scapulets; with permanent ring canal; with 16 or 32 radial canals not all extending to umbrella margin; with a continuous genital porticus.

Diagnosis References

Kramp, P.L. 1961. Synopsis of the medusae of the world. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 40: 1-469 [365]

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