New Record of Macrorhynchia gravelyi Mammen, 1965 (Hydrozoa: Leptothecata: Aglaopheniidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

The present study reports the first occurrence of the data-deficient hydrozoan, Macrorhynchia gravelyi Mammen, 1965 from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with the first comprehensive description of the species after its initial discovery from South India and the first illustration of its gonotheca. Comparisons with M. philippina and M. phoenicea revealed that the species is easily distinguishable based on its small size and characteristic gonotheca. The species is considered to be a shallow water species, with all occurrence reports being < 9 m during the study, commonly growing on substrates such as dead octocoral skeletons, calcareous rock and rubble. Caprellid amphipods are recorded as common associates of the species in the Islands, observed clinging to the colonies.