Taxonomy
Agalma elegans
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Not considered threatened.
Europe: Not considered threatened.
Global: Not considered threatened.
Legal status
Agalma elegans is not afforded legal protection in Ireland.
Native status
Resident
Invasiveness
Not assessed
Species Biology
Identification
Key identification features include:
- Approximately 10-20 cm long when contracted, 50 cm when relaxed
- Obvious large red tentilla contained on tentacles
- The gas float (pneumatophore) is ovoid with a red pigmentation cap
- 10-30 pumping ridged bells (nectophores) arranged below for locomotion
- Nectophores are < 1 cm in length
Habitat
Agalma elegans is found in oceanic and coastal habitats, although it is generally considered an oceanic species. Inhabits the top 400 m of the water column. High abundance in coastal regions are often associated with intrusions of oceanic water.
Source: Kirkpatrick P.A. & Pugh P.R. 1984; Mapstone 2014; Totton A. K. 1965
Life cycle
Agalma elegans are dioecious with an entirely planktonic life cycle. In the northeast Atlantic, the distinctive post larval stages are often captured in samples from July through September, indicating a spring spawning for adults.
Source: Mapstone, G. M. 2015; Totton, A. K. 1965
Threats faced
This species has not been assessed.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Considered cosmopolitan in distribution with records from 60°N-38°S.
Source: Mapstone, G.M. 2014; Totton, A. K. 1965
Irish distribution
Records suggest Agalma elegans is primarily found on the western and southern coastlines, sometime in high abundance, with occasional observations from the east coast. Offshore, it has been found throughout the Celtic Sea and western shelf waters.
Source: Haberlin, D. et al 2016; Kirkpatrick P.A. & Pugh P.R. 1984
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
References
Publications
Haberlin, Damien, et al. "Diversity and occurrence of siphonophores in Irish coastal waters." Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. 116. No. 2. Royal Irish Academy, 2016.
Kirkpatrick, P. A., and P. R. Pugh. "Siphonophores and Velellids." Synopsis of the British Fauna (New Series) no. 29 (1984): 154.
Mapstone, Gillian M. Siphonophora (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) of Canadian Pacific waters. NRC Research Press, 2009.
Mapstone, Gillian. "Correction: global diversity and review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)." PloS one 10.2 (2014): e0118381.
Totton, Arthur Knyvett, and Helene E. Bargmann. A Synopsis of the Siphonophora. British Museum (Natural History), 1965