Herring-bone hydroid (Halecium halecinum)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

A regularly branched, stiff, tall hydroid, feather like in appearance, that can reach a height of 25 cm. It has several stems that grow from the fibrous attachment point. Each stem has equally spaced, parallel, alternate branches that grow at an angle of 40-60 degrees to the stem. The branches bear large polyps that protrude out of the funnel like structure that surrounds them. Some secondary branching may occur.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Halecium halecinum has been recorded from all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Global distribution

The species is recorded around the Atlantic coasts of north west Europe, the Mediterranean, and south Africa.

Habitat

The species occurs on hard substrata such as stones and shells in the shallow sublittoral and deeper.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • Tall hydroid reaching up to 25 cm.
  • Regularly spaced, parallel, alternate branches growing at an angle of 40-60 degrees to the stem.
  • Large polyps protrude from funnel like structures.

Additional information

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Listed by

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Cornelius, P.F.S., 1995a. North-west European thecate hydroids and their medusae. Part 1. Introduction, Laodiceidae to Haleciidae. Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council. [Synopses of the British Fauna no. 50]

  2. Gibson, R., Hextall, B. & Rogers, A., 2001. Photographic guide to the sea and seashore life of Britain and north-west Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  3. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  4. JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee), 1999. Marine Environment Resource Mapping And Information Database (MERMAID): Marine Nature Conservation Review Survey Database. [on-line] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/mermaid

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38

  3. Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust Shoresearch Intertidal Survey 2004 onwards. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.

  4. Lancashire Environment Record Network, 2018. LERN Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/esxc9a accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  5. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2022. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-27.

  6. Merseyside BioBank., 2018. Merseyside BioBank (unverified). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/iou2ld accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  7. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  8. Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, 2017. NBIS Records to December 2016. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/jca5lo accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  9. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-05-26

  10. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2023. SEWBReC Marine and other Aquatic Invertebrates (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/zxy1n6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-27.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

MacDougall, C.A. 2008. Halecium halecinum Herring-bone hydroid. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 26-05-2025]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1849

Last Updated: 17/04/2008