Familia Rhizophysidae

Brandt, 1825

Only 4 species, in 2 genera, are recognised here. Totton (1965) also included 3 "species inquirendae" within this family, of which 2 belonged to the genus Epibulia Eschscholtz, 1829. In these species there is supposed to be a ring of palpons surrounding the base of the pneumatophore: but palpons are absent in other cystonect species. Totton (1965) suggested that these alleged palpons might be young gastrozooids and personal observations have shown this to be the case. The whole specimen is highly contracted and the young gastrozooids bear no sign of a tentacular bud. The genus and its species are, therefore, considered to be invalid. However, Alvariño (1981) has recorded Epibulia ritteriana Haeckel, 1888 from the western South Atlantic. Judging from her illustration, showing a pneumatophore with large hypocystic villi, it is concluded that her specimens most likely belong to Rhizophysa filiformis.

Genus Rhizophysa

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