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Dieren en planten

Cnidarians   Polyps   Sea mat   Sea thread hydroid   White weed   Ringed tubularia   Clapper hydromedusa   
  • Dut: Poliep
  • Lat: Radiata
  • Eng: Polyp
  • Ger: Polyp
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Polyps, Ecomare

Polyps

Polyps are coelenterates which spend most of their life attached to stones, plants or other animals. Most polyp species form colonies. Within these colonies, the polyps have their own task to perform. There are those that provide food, others are responsible for reproduction while others take care of keeping the colony clean!

  • Dutch species

    Along the Dutch coast, there are approximately 50 known species of polyps. Examples are: sea mat, Obelia dichotoma and white weed.

  • Life cycle of polyps
    Coryne pusilla, foto fitis, sytske dijksen

    In addition to their sessile (attached) stage, some polyps also have a medusa (jellyfish) stage. The small free-floating medusae are responsible for sexual reproduction and distribution over long distances. The fertilized eggs produce larvae which form new polyps.