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'{{Automatic taxobox | name = Siphonophores | image = Portuguese Man-O-War (Physalia physalis).jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = [[Portuguese Man o' War]], ''Physalia physalis''<br/>([[Cystonectae]]: [[Physaliidae]]) | authority = [[Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz|Eschscholtz]], 1829 | subdivision_ranks = [[Suborder]]s | display children = 1 | synonyms = Siphonophora <small>Eschscholtz, 1829</small> }} '''Siphonophorae''' or '''Siphonophora''', the '''siphonophores''', are an [[order (biology)|order]] of the [[Hydrozoa]], a class of marine [[invertebrate]]s belonging to the phylum [[Cnidaria]]. They are [[Colony (biology)|colonial]], but the colonies can superficially resemble [[jellyfish]]; although they appear to be a single [[organism]], each specimen is actually a colony of Siphonophora. The best known species is the dangerous [[Portuguese Man o' War]] (''Physalia physalis''). With a body length of 40–50&nbsp;m, another species of siphonophore, ''[[Praya dubia]]'', is one of the longest animals in the world.<ref>Dunn (2005)</ref> ==Description== Siphonophores are especially scientifically interesting because they are composed of [[medusa (biology)|medusoid]] and [[polyp]]oid [[Bryozoa|zooids]] that are [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] and functionally specialized. Each zooid is an individual, but their integration with each other is so strong that the colony attains the character of one large organism. Indeed, most of the zooids are so specialized that they lack the ability to survive on their own. Siphonophorae thus exist at the boundary between colonial and complex [[multicellular organisms]]. Also, because multicellular organisms have cells which, like zooids, are specialized and interdependent, siphonophores may provide clues regarding their [[evolution]].<ref>Dunn (2005)</ref> Like other [[hydrozoa]]ns, certain siphonophores can emit light. A siphonophore of the [[genus]] ''[[Erenna]]'' has been discovered at a depth of around 1,600 meters 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. It is theorized that twinkling red light attracts small fish that have been found 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>Haddock ''et al.'' (2005)</ref> ==Systematics== [[Image:Haeckel Siphonophorae 37.jpg|thumb|right|Aspects of ''[[Physophora hydrostatica]]'' ([[Physonectae]]: [[Physophoridae]]).<br/>Plate 37 in ''[[Kunstformen der Natur]]'' by [[Ernst Haeckel]] (1904). See also [[#Haeckel's siphonophores|below]].]] 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 and layfolk alike, 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)</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== [[Ernst Haeckel]] described a number of siphonophores, and several plates from his ''[[Kunstformen der Natur]]'' (1904) depict members of the [[taxon]]: <gallery> Image:Haeckel Siphonophorae 7.jpg|Plate 7. Image:Haeckel Siphonophorae 59.jpg|Plate 59. Image:Haeckel Siphonophorae 77.jpg|Plate 77. </gallery> ==Footnotes== {{Reflist}} ==References== * {{aut|Dunn, Casey}} (2005): [http://siphonophores.org/SiphOrganization.php Siphonophores]. Retrieved 2008-JUL-08. * {{aut|Haddock, S.H.; Dunn, C.W.; Pugh, P.R. & Schnitzler, C.E.}} (2005): Bioluminescent and red-fluorescent lures in a deep-sea siphonophore. ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'' '''309'''(5732): 263. <small>PMID 16002609</small> <small>{{doi|10.1126/science.1110441}}</small> (HTML abstract) * {{aut|Mapstone, Gillian M.}} (2009): ''[http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660198439.html Siphonophora (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) of Canadian Pacific waters]'' NRC Research Press, Ottawa ISBN 978-0-660-19843-9 * {{aut|MarineSpecies.org}} (2008): [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=13551 Anthomedusae]. Retrieved 2008-JUL-08. * {{aut|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== {{wikispecies|Siphonophora}} {{Commons category}} * http://siphonophores.org * http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/mhng/hydrozoa/sipho/siphonophora.htm * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT1TSbarW1U [[Category:Hydrozoa]] [[az:Sifonoforlar]] [[de:Staatsquallen]] [[es:Siphonophora]] [[fr:Siphonophorae]] [[it:Siphonophora]] [[ja:クダクラゲ目]] [[no:Kolonimaneter]] [[pl:Rurkopławy]] [[pt:Siphonophora]] [[ru:Сифонофоры]] [[simple:Siphonophore]] [[sk:Rúrovníky]] [[uk:Сифонофори]] [[zh:管水母]]'