Examine individual changes

'{{distinguish|Siphonophorida}} {{Automatic taxobox | name = Siphonophores | image = Portuguese Man-O-War (Physalia physalis).jpg | image_caption = [[Portuguese Man o' War]]<br> (''Physalia physalis'') | taxon = Siphonophorae | authority = [[Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz|Eschscholtz]], 1829 | subdivision_ranks = [[Suborder]]s | subdivision = See text | synonyms = Siphonophora <small>Eschscholtz, 1829</small> }} {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 205 | image1 = Marrus orthocanna crop.jpg | alt1 = | caption1 = {{center|The [[Pelagic zone|pelagic]] siphonophore ''[[Marrus orthocanna]]''}} | image2 = Apolemia uvaria.jpg | alt2 = | caption2 = {{center|''[[Apolemia uvaria]]''<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/corals-anemones-and-jellyfish/page-1 Cnidaria – the nettle animals] ''Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand''. Updated: 13 July 2012. Accessed 31 March 2015.</ref>}} }} The '''Siphonophorae''' or '''Siphonophora''', the '''siphonophores''', are an [[order (biology)|order]] of the [[Hydrozoa]], a class of marine [[animal]]s belonging to the phylum [[Cnidaria]]. Although a siphonophore appears to be a single [[organism]], each specimen is actually a [[Colony (biology)|colony]] composed of highly specialised individual animals called [[zooids]]. Most colonies are long, thin, transparent [[Pelagic zone|pelagic]] floaters. Some siphonophores superficially resemble [[jellyfish]], one example being the venomous [[Portuguese man o' war]] (''Physalia physalis''). Another species of siphonophore, ''[[Praya dubia]]'', is one of the longest animals in the world, with a body length of {{convert|40|–|50|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Dunn">Dunn, Casey (2005): [http://siphonophores.org/SiphOrganization.php Siphonophores]. Retrieved 2008-JUL-08.</ref> The term originates from the Greek ''siphōn'' "tube" + ''pherein'' "to bear".<ref>[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Siphonophora Siphonophora] ''Oxford dictionary''. Retrieved 31 March 2015.</ref> ==Description== Siphonophores are of special scientific interest because they are composed of [[medusa (biology)|medusoid]] and [[polyp]]oid [[zooids]] that are [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] and functionally specialized. Each zooid is an individual organism, but its integration with others is so strong that the colony attains the function of a larger organism. Indeed, most of the zooids are so specialized, they lack the ability to survive on their own. This is somewhat analogous to the construction and function of multicellular organisms; because multicellular organisms have organs which, like zooids, are specialized and interdependent, siphonophores may provide clues regarding the [[evolution]] of more complex bodies.<ref name="Dunn" /> Like other [[hydrozoa]]ns, certain siphonophores can emit light. A siphonophore of the genus ''[[Erenna]]'' has been discovered at a depth of around {{convert|1600|m|abbr=on}} off the coast of [[Monterey, California]]. The individuals from these colonies are strung together like a [[feather boa]]. They prey on small animals using stinging cells. Among the stinging cells are stalks with red glowing ends. The tips twitch back and forth, creating a twinkling effect. Twinkling red lights are thought to attract the small fish eaten by these siphonophores. While many sea animals produce blue and green [[bioluminescence]], this siphonophore was only the second lifeform found to produce a red light (the first being the scaleless dragonfish ''[[Chirostomias pliopterus]]'').<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Haddock SH, Dunn CW, Pugh PR, Schnitzler CE |title=Bioluminescent and red-fluorescent lures in a deep-sea siphonophore |journal=Science |volume=309 |issue=5732 |pages=263 | date=July 2005 |pmid=16002609 |doi=10.1126/science.1110441}}</ref><!-- it is made up of many organisms. --> ==Systematics== Due to their highly specialized colonies, siphonophores have long misled scientists. They were for a long time believed to be a highly distinct group, but now are known to have [[evolved]] from simpler colonial hydrozoans similar to [[Anthomedusae]] or [[Leptomedusae]]. Consequently, they are now united with these in a [[Class (biology)|subclass]] [[Leptolinae]]. The Siphonophorae have long fascinated scientists due to their dramatic appearance, as well as the large size and dangerous sting of several species. Compared to their relatives, their [[systematics]] are relatively straightforward:<ref>MarineSpecies.org (2008): [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=13551 Anthomedusae]. Retrieved 2008-JUL-08.</ref> Suborder [[Calycophorae]] * Family [[Abylidae]] * Family [[Clausophyidae]] * Family [[Diphyidae]] * Family [[Hippopodiidae]] * Family [[Prayidae]] * Family [[Sphaeronectidae]] Suborder [[Cystonectae]] * Family [[Physaliidae]] * Family [[Rhizophysidae]] Suborder [[Physonectae]] * Family [[Agalmatidae]]<!-- "Agalmidae" is lapsus --> * Family [[Apolemiidae]] * Family [[Athorybiidae]] * Family [[Erennidae]] * Family [[Forskaliidae]] * Family [[Physophoridae]]<!-- "Physophorae" is lapsus --> * Family [[Pyrostephidae]] * Family [[Rhodaliidae]] The genus ''[[Stepanyantsia]]'' is of unclear affiliations; it might belong in the Agalmatidae. ==Haeckel's siphonophores== [[File:Differential-Gene-Expression-in-the-Siphonophore-Nanomia-bijuga-(Cnidaria)-Assessed-with-Multiple-pone.0022953.s013.ogv|thumb|right|{{center|Video taken at a depth of 612 metres of the siphonophore<br />''[[Nanomia bijuga]]''}}]] [[Ernst Haeckel]] described a number of siphonophores, and several plates from his ''[[Kunstformen der Natur]]'' (1904) depict members of the [[taxon]]: <gallery mode=packed heights=200 style="float:left;"> File:Haeckel Siphonophorae 7.jpg|Plate 7 File:Haeckel Siphonophorae 37.jpg|Plate 37 File:Haeckel Siphonophorae 59.jpg|Plate 59 File:Haeckel Siphonophorae 77.jpg|Plate 77 </gallery> {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== {{More footnotes|article|date=September 2014}} *{{cite book |last=Mapstone |first=Gillian M. |year=2009 |title=Siphonophora (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) of Canadian Pacific waters |publisher=NRC Research Press |location=Ottawa |isbn=978-0-660-19843-9}} * PinkTentacle.com (2008): [http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/12/siphonophore-deep-sea-superorganism-video/ Siphonophore: Deep-sea superorganism (video)]. Retrieved 2009-MAY-23. ==External links== {{Commons category|Siphonophorae}} {{wikispecies|Siphonophora}} *{{cite web | url = http://siphonophores.org | title = Siphonophores | last = Dunn | first = Casey | date = n.d. | website = Siphonophores | publisher = n/a | accessdate = 19 September 2014 }} *{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IEWuQTEwhk&feature=youtu.be&t=6m2s | title = Tauchen in Norwegen - Kvasefjord | last = scubamedia.de | date = 30 August 2013 | website = YouTube | publisher = scubamedia.de | accessdate = 19 September 2014 }} *{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT1TSbarW1U | title = Siphonophore | last = pinktentacle3 | date = 22 December 2008 | website = YouTube (originally posted to http://pinktentacle.com/2008/12/siphonophore-deep-sea-superorganism-video/) | accessdate = 19 September 2014 }} *{{cite web | url = http://www.nautiluslive.org/video/2014/06/27/stunning-siphonophore-sighting | title = Stunning Siphonophore Sighting | date = 27 June 2014 | website = Nautilus Live: Explore the ocean LIVE with Dr. Robert Ballard and the Corps of Exploration | publisher = Ocean Exploration Trust | accessdate = 18 September 2014 }} [[Category:Siphonophorae| ]] [[Category:Articles containing video clips]]'