Schuchert, P.; Choong, H.; Galea, H.; Hoeksema, B.; Lindsay, D.; Manko, M.; Pica, D. (2026). World Hydrozoa Database. Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=117368 on 2026-04-20
accepted
Valid name (ICZN) or name considered to be taxonomically correct (ICBN)
Species
Hincks, T. 1866a. On new British Hydroida. - Annals and Magazine of Natural History (3) 18: 296-299.
Zur Kenntnis der Hydroidenfauna des Mittelmeeres, Amerikas und anderer Gebiete, nebst Angaben über einige Kirchenpauer'sche Typen von Plumulariden
Stechow E. (1919a). Zur Kenntnis der Hydroidenfauna des Mittelmeeres, Amerikas und anderer Gebiete, nebst Angaben über einige Kirchenpauer'sche Typen von Plumulariden. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere. 42(1): 1-172.
A notice of some new genera and species of British hydroid zoophytes
Alder, J. (1856). A notice of some new genera and species of British hydroid zoophytes. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (2). 353-362, pls 12-14.
A catalogue of the zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall
Hincks, T. (1861). A catalogue of the zoophytes of South Devon and South Cornwall. The Annals and magazine of natural history; zoology, botany, and geology. 8(3): 152-161, 251-262, 290-297, pls 6-8.
Nutting, C. C. 1901b. The Hydroids of the Woods Hole region. - Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission for 1899 19: 325-386.
Hydroids of the 1939 Allan Hancock Caribbean Sea Expedition
Fraser, C. McLean, 1947. Hydroids of the 1939 Allan Hancock Caribbean Sea Expedition. Allan Hancock Atl. Exped. 4 : 1-24, pls 1-3.
Cobbold, T.S., 1858. Description of a new form of naked-eyed medusa (Thaumantias achroa), with histological details. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 6 : 1-5.
Coelenterata. Part V.- Hydroida. - British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition
Totton, A. K. 1930. Coelenterata. Part V.- Hydroida. - British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition, 1910, Natural History Report, Zoology 5: 131-252, pls 1-3.
Histoire des polypiers coralligènes flexibles, vulgairement nommés zoophytes
Lamouroux, J. V. F. (1816). Histoire des polypiers coralligènes flexibles, vulgairement nommés zoophytes. F. Poisson, Caen. i-lxxxiv, 1-558, pls. I-XIX.
A monograph of the British naked-eyed Medusæ : with figures of all the species. London, Ray Society, pp. 104, 13 plates
Forbes, E. (1848). A monograph of the British naked-eyed Medusæ : with figures of all the species. London, Ray Society, pp. 104, 13 plates.
Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Medusenfauna von Nizza
Leuckart, R. 1856. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Medusenfauna von Nizza. - Archiv für Naturgeschichte 22: 1-40, pls 1-2.
Bidrag til Kundskaben om Middelhavets Littoral-Fauna, Reisebemaerkinger fra Italien
Sars M. (1857). Bidrag til Kundskaben om Middelhavets Littoral-Fauna, Reisebemaerkinger fra Italien. Nyt Magazin Naturvidenskaberne. 9(7):110–164, pls. 1-2.
Contributions to the natural history of the United States of America.
Agassiz, L. (1862). Contributions to the natural history of the United States of America. Little Brown, Boston. 4: 1-380, pls 1-19.
Report on the Hydroida collected during the Exploration of the Gulf Stream of Mexico by Alexander Agassiz, 1877-78
Clarke, S. F. 1879. Report on the Hydroida collected during the Exploration of the Gulf Stream of Mexico by Alexander Agassiz, 1877-78. - Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 5: 239-252, pls 1-5.
On some new and rare Hydroida in the Australian Museum collections
Bale, W. M. 1888. On some new and rare Hydroida in the Australian Museum collections. - Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales ser 2 volume 3: 745-799, plates 12-21.
Mayer, A. G. (1900). Some medusae from the Tortugas, Florida. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard. 37: 13-82, pls 1-44.
Congdon, E. D. 1907. The hydroids of Bermuda. - Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 42: 463-485.
Zur Kenntnis neuer oder seltener Hydroidpolypen, meist Campanulariden, aus Amerika und Norwegen
Stechow, E. 1914. Zur Kenntnis neuer oder seltener Hydroidpolypen, meist Campanulariden, aus Amerika und Norwegen. - Zoologischer Anzeiger 45: 120-136.
Versuch eines Systems der Medusen, mit Beschreibung neuer oder wenig gekannter Formen; zugleich ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Fauna des Mittelmeeres.
Gegenbaur, C. (1857). Versuch eines Systems der Medusen, mit Beschreibung neuer oder wenig gekannter Formen; zugleich ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Fauna des Mittelmeeres. Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Zoologie. Leipzig 8: 202-273, pls 7-9.
Die entstehung der sexualzellen bei den hydromedusen : zugleich ein Betrag zur Kenntniss des Baues und der Lebenserscheinungen dieser Gruppe / von August Weismann
Weismann, A. 1883. Die Entstehung der Sexualzellen bei den Hydromedusen. Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Baues und der Lebenserscheinungen dieser Gruppe. Gustav Fischer, Jena, pp. i-xiii, 1-295, pls 1-24.
Tableau des caractères génériques et spécifiques de toutes les espèces de méduses connues jusqu'à ce jour
Péron F. & Lesueur C.A. (1810). Tableau des caractères génériques et spécifiques de toutes les espèces de méduses connues jusqu'à ce jour. Annales du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de Paris. 14: 325-366.
Forbes E. (1841). Contributions to British actinology. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 7: 81-85, pl. 1.
Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Ed. 12. 1., Regnum Animale. 1 & 2. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature: according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places. Ed. 12. 1., Animal Kingdom. 1 & 2]
Linnaeus, C. (1767). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Ed. 12. 1., Regnum Animale. 1 & 2. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature: according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places. Ed. 12. 1., Animal Kingdom. 1 & 2]. Holmiae [Stockholm], Laurentii Salvii. pp. 1-532 [1766] pp. 533-1327 [1767].
Bemerkungen über Ctenophoren und Medusen
Claus, C., 1864. Bemerkungen über Ctenophoren und Medusen. Z. wiss. Zool. 14 4: 384-393.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS)
Chen, Q. C. (1982). The marine zooplankton of Hong Kong. In: Morton B, editor. Proceedings of the first international marine biological workshop: The marine flora and fauna of Hong Kong and southern China. Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong. 2: 789-799.
Bio-environmental research group; Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries research (ILVO), Belgium; (2015): Zooplankton monitoring in the Belgian Part of the North Sea between 2009 and 2010.
Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea
Calder D.R. (1991). Shallow-water hydroids of Bermuda: the Thecatae, exclusive of Plumularioidea. Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Contributions. 154: 1-140.
Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World.
van der Land, J.; Vervoort, W.; Cairns, S.D.; Schuchert, P. (2001). Hydrozoa, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 112-120
Catalogue of the marine invertebrates of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Brunel, P., L. Bosse & G. Lamarche. (1998). Catalogue of the marine invertebrates of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 126. 405 pp.
Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]
Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
Hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico
Calder, D. R. and S. D. Cairns. 2009. Hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 381–394 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.
Medusozoans (Cnidaria: Cubozoa, Scyphozoa, and Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico
Segura-Puertas, L., L. Celis, and L. Chiaverano. 2009. Medusozoans (Cnidaria: Cubozoa, Scyphozoa, and Hydrozoa) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 369–379 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Pre
[Checklist of marine biota of China seas]
Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). [Checklist of marine biota of China seas]. China Science Press. 1267 pp.
Phylum Cnidaria: corals, medusae, hydroids, myxozoans.
Cairns, S.D., L. Gershwin, F.J. Brook, P. Pugh, E.W. Dawson, O.V. Ocaña, W. Vervoort, G. Williams, J.E. Watson, D.M. Opresko, P. Schuchert, P.M. Hine, D.P. Gordon, H.I. Campbell, A.J. Wright, J.A.Sánchez & D.G. Fautin. (2009). Phylum Cnidaria: corals, medusae, hydroids, myxozoans. in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. :59-101.
Cobscook Bay inventory: a historical checklist of marine invertebrates spanning 162 years
Trott, T. J. (2004). Cobscook Bay inventory: a historical checklist of marine invertebrates spanning 162 years. Northeastern Naturalist. 11, 261-324.
A genomic view of 500 million years of cnidarian evolution
Steele, R. E.; David, C. N.; Technau, U. (2010). A genomic view of 500 million years of cnidarian evolution. Trends in Genetics, 30(10): 1-7
The marine hydroids of south-eastern Australia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)
Watson, J. E. (2024). The marine hydroids of south-eastern Australia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Museum Victoria Science Reports. 22: 1-121.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
Bouillon, J.; Boero, F. (2000). Synopsis of the families and genera of the Hydromedusae of the world, with a list of the worldwide species. Thalassia Salent. 24: 47-296
Medusa of Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) (Leptomedusae, Campanulariidae), Dunstaffnage, Scotland, ca. 1 cm diameter. The identification of this medusa is only tentative, as there are several Clytia species producing medusae that cannot be distinguished with the currently available knowledge. They can be identified in their hydroid phase only. However, Clytia hemisphaerica is a very common species and most Clytia medusae in temperate waters are likely referrable to to C. hemisphaerica The author has granted permission to MarBEF/VLIZ to use this picture in ERMS and related biological databases hosted at VLIZ. Source: http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/mhng/hydrozoa/hydrozoa-directory.htm
Polyp stage of Clytia hemisphaerica, Mediterranean
from http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Clytia raridentata (Alder in Hincks, 1861) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Clytia serrulata (Bale, 1888) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Clytia viridicans (Leuckart, 1956) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Eucope affinis Gegenbaur, 1857 - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - North Sea
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Nieuwpoort
Distribution for Thaumantias hemispherica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Oostende
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Oostende
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - Oostende
Distribution for Clytia phosphorica (Péron & Lesueur, 1810) - English Channel
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Westerschelde
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - De Haan
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Doggersbank
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - South Coast of England
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Mariakerke
Distribution for Phialidium viridicans Leuckart, 1856 - Nice
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Campanularia gigantea Hincks, 1866 - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Campanularia edwardsi Nutting, 1901 - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Phialidium bicophorum (L. Agassiz, 1862) - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Phialidium languidum (A. Agassiz, 1862) - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Oestergronden
Distribution for Campanularia gigantea Hincks, 1866 - Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Laomedea villafrancensis (Stechow, 1919) - Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Distribution for Campanularia brachycaulis Stechow, 1919 - Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Distribution for Campanularia raridentata Alder in Hincks, 1861 - Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Wadden Sea
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Wenduine
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Wimereux
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Zeeland
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - North Pacific
Distribution for Phialidium languidum (A. Agassiz, 1862) - North Pacific
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Gulf of Mexico
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Canada
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Clytia raridentata (Alder in Hincks, 1861) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Clytia serrulata (Bale, 1888) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Irish Exclusive economic Zone
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Ukrainian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Azores Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia gigantea (Hincks, 1866) - New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - United States part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone [Pacific part]
Distribution for Phialidium languidum (A. Agassiz, 1862) - Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone [Pacific part]
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Campanularia johnstoni Alder, 1856 - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Laomedea gigantea (Hincks, 1866) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - North East Pacific
Distribution for Phialidium languidum (A. Agassiz, 1862) - North East Pacific
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Gulf of Maine
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Cobscook Bay
Distribution for Clytia hemisphaerica (Linnaeus, 1767) - Belgian Coast
Distribution for Medusa hemisphaerica Linnaeus, 1767 - Belgian Coast
Distribution for Phialidium hemisphaericum (Linnaeus, 1767) - FAO fishing area 67
Distribution for Phialidium languidum (A. Agassiz, 1862) - FAO fishing area 67
Origin uncertain
Species whose biological status is uncertain i.e. it is uncertain if the species is native or alien to the location
Not specified
A species whose 'invasiveness' has not been specified in its introduced range. The species is known to be present and has been reported but there is no comment on its invasiveness
Detected in invasion pathway
Species detected in invasion pathways for example in ballast water, or as a hull-fouling organism
Taxon Description Functional group for Taxon denoted by name 13552
Taxon Description Body size for Taxon denoted by name 117368
Taxon Description AMBI ecological group for Taxon denoted by name 117368
Taxon Description Body size (qualitative) for Taxon denoted by name 1337
Taxon Description Supporting structure & enclosure for Taxon denoted by name 19494
Taxon Description Nomenclature code for Taxon denoted by name 2
Specification Context: Life stage polyp
Specification Context: Life stage larva
Specification Context: Unit mm
Specification Context: Type maximum
Specification Context: Locality (MRGID) 1920
Specification Context: Structure Solid
Specification Context: Composition Chitinous