Craspedacusta Sowerbyi Lankester 1880 and Cordylophora Lacustris Allman 1871 in Western Lake Erie (Coelenterata)

Abstract

Thirty-seven stations, representing a variety of rocky habitats in the Lake Erie island region were sampled over a three-year period. Rock samples were hand-picked by diving and identification made from living material. The colonial hydroid Cordylophora lacustris was collected at fourteen widely separated locations. The minute polyp form of the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbyi was collected at all of the stations sampled. New hydranth buds, frustules, and medusoid buds were produced in the laboratory by the polyps collected.