Aglaura hemistoma

Aglaura is a monotypic genus of deep-sea hydrozoan in the family Rhopalonematidae. It is represented by the species Aglaura hemistoma. It has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical to temperate oceans. A. hemistoma are omnivorous creatures, feeding on protistan and microplanktonic prey. They utilize water current flow fields and ambush predation strategies for prey capture. Flow fields are generated by their tentacles and nonmotile prey are easily ingested as they are directed towards the manubrium. Ambush capture is achieved by triggering quick tentacle contractions upon direct contact to move prey towards the manubrium.