RBINS Cnidaria collection

The RBINS holds a very important collection of Cnidaria. Dr. E. Leloup from the RBINS and Prof. Dr. Bouillon from the Université Libre de Bruxelles collected non-Siphonophoran Hydrozoa (hydroid polyps) – approximately 800 species in total, 65 of which are nominal species and varieties. The collection contains specimens in alcohol as well as microscope slides. It is completely inventoried and searchable using the DaRWIN database. We also have Siphonophora, colonial Hydrozoa that include the world-famous and dangerous Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis). We have fewer Scyphozoa, but this is a reflection of their low diversity (there are only 200 known species). On the other hand, the Anthozoa collection is more impressive and includes soft and hard corals, gorgonians, sea pens, and sea anemones. It contains specimens from exotic locations such as the Maldives and Papua New Guinea. Within the hard corals, the family Fungiidae is especially well represented both the wet and dry collections. This is the result of dedicated collecting for research into the interactions between rock-boring Leptoconchus molluscs and corals and the ecology of this group. In total, the RBINS holds more than 6500 cnidarian specimens, including a 500-some types.

Published: March 13, 2025 at 14:34

URL: https://ipt.naturalsciences.be/resource?r=be_rbins_invertebrates_cnidaria