Relationships between benthic diatoms and hydrozoans (Cnidaria)

Abstract

Some examples of relationships between hydroids and epibionthic diatoms from the Mediterranean Sea are described, verifying the kind of interaction existing between the two partners. The athecate Eudendrium racemosum hosts an extremely rich diatom assemblage, mainly comprising Licmophora spp., Amphora spp. and Cocconeis spp. On the contrary, only adnate growth forms ( Cocconeis pseudonotata , C. dirupta ) were observed in diatom communities growing on the external side of thecate species Campanularia hincksii , Clytia linearis and Synthecium evansi . Some diatom species ( Cocconeis notata , Cylindrotheca sp. and Navicula sp.) are able to survive in the intrathecal microenvironment. They live in the narrow space between hydrotheca and polyp, receiving protection and probably using the nutrients produced by hydroid metabolism. Sunlight can penetrate through transparent thecae and reach the diatom layer, making photosynthesis possible.