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Genus Amphinema Haeckel, 1879 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa): A brief taxonomic review with the description of a new species?
* 1 , 2
1  Biotechnology Research Group (GRUBIODEQ), Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Córdoba, Montería, 230002, Colombia
2  Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems Program, Inventory, Taxonomy and Biology of Species, Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR), Santa Marta, 470001, Colombia
Academic Editor: Mathias Harzhauser

Published: 01 December 2025 by MDPI in The 1st International Online Conference on Taxonomy session Animal Taxonomy
Abstract:

The genus Amphinema comprises a group of hydrozoans within the order Anthoathecata, currently consisting of 20 species, 19 of which have detailed morphological descriptions of their medusoid stage (Schuchert et al., 2025). The hydromedusae of this genus exhibit a combination of distinctive diagnostic features, including an apical projection, two hollow and opposite marginal tentacles, numerous rudimentary marginal warts or bulbs, a manubrium with four simple lips, absence of a gastric peduncle, and gonads located in adradial, interradial, or perradial positions, which occasionally extend along the radial canals (Bouillon, 1999; Bouillon et al., 2006; Fuentes et al., 2012; Schuchert & Collins, 2021). As part of a systematic review of the hydromedusae of Colombia, the morphological characteristics of 56 specimens collected from two coastal sites in the department of Córdoba (Colombia) were analyzed and compared with the diagnostic traits of the nominal species of the genus Amphinema. Based on these analyses, a synthesis of the diagnostic features of the reviewed species is presented, along with the morphological description of a potential new species to science. This taxon differs primarily in the shape and anatomy of the umbrella, apical projection, “gonads”, mouth, and lips. Given the high morphological plasticity observed within this group, it is proposed that molecular analyses be conducted to support the taxonomic identification. Documenting the diversity of hydromedusae contributes significantly to understanding the country’s marine biodiversity and provides a foundation for future studies on aspects such as ecology, phylogeny, and biogeography.

Keywords: Anthoathecata; Hydromedusae; Morphology
Comments on this paper
Leiner Suárez Martínez
Excelente trabajo. El resumen presenta de manera clara, rigurosa y bien estructurada la información taxonómica del género Amphinema. La integración de referencias, el análisis de especímenes de Colombia y la propuesta de una potencial especie nueva están muy bien fundamentados. Un aporte valioso para el conocimiento de la biodiversidad marina del Caribe colombiano.
Jorge Llorente Vega
Thank you!

Jesús Díaz
El resumen presenta de manera clara y ordenada los aspectos fundamentales del estudio taxonómico del género amphinema. La información está bien sintetizada, muestra coherencia y evidencia una comprensión sólida de los principios taxonómicos.



 
 
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