Draft:Plumularia setacea

Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758). are identified as a species of Hydrozoans belonging to the family Plumulariidae. Better known as  'Glassy Plume Hydroid' The species plumularia setacea are sometimes also know as ‘little sea-bristles .’  They are a colony of polyps that can get up to 15cm in height. While not harmful, they can produce a mild sting on bare skin. They have a very wide spread distribrution, globally and can be found almost anywhere. They are distinguishable by their feather-like appearance, not to be confused with the species Kirchenpaueria similis , which is very similar.

General Description
First discovered in 1758 by Linnaeus, the sessile marine hydroid Plumularia setacea is a single species belonging to the Plumularriidae family. Genetic diversity within the species is high but widely dispersed, with numerous similar species. Characterized by its feather-like appearance, it features a brown central stem with alternating forms of side branches. The colonies are connected by stolons at the base of the species.

These branches vary. One being a longer joint, which is made up of hydrotheca and nematothecae. The shorter branch consists only of nematophores. Along the side of one of the side branches are the feeding polyps, which are attached directly. These hydroids lack a medusa stage and are primarily benthic. The colonies form a flat, two-dimensional plane, with a potential height of up to 15cm.

Ecology
Plumularia setacea are a marine species. Plumularia setacea are nearly cosmopolitan as they are widely dispersed and have a high tolerance to environmental conditions. The species is mainly found in tropical to temperate waters, usually at depths of 1–30 meters. They can be found almost everywhere besides the Arctic and Antarctic oceans.

The species has been recorded in the north-east Atlantic, British Isles, South America, Norway, New Zealand, and Southern Australia. Commonly found in coastal habitats and can be abundant in semi-sheltered areas.

Reproduction
Typically, colonies of the species become sexually mature in the spring and summer but are the most fertile in July. Normal months of breeding for this feather-like hydroid are June to September and once colonies reproduce, they die. Along the main stem of the species ,there are polyps in the hydrothecae. They have gonothecae. Notably, the gonothecae exhibit sexual dimorphism, with those of male are narrower and smaller than their female counterparts.

The species Plumularia setacea are gonochoristic and produce larvae rather than eggs. The sperm swim from the male gonophores to the gonophores of the female, faciliting reproduction of the species.

Feeding
Most hydrozoans are filter feeders, as are the species, Plumularia setacae. They mainly feed on zooplankton or particles. They are a carnivorous species.

Taxonomy
Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Hydrozoa

Order: Leptothecata

Family: Plumulariidae

Genus: Plumularia

Species: plumularia setacea