Diphyidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Diphyidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Diphyes sp. from the Black Sea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Siphonophorae |
| Suborder: | Calycophorae |
| Family: | Diphyidae Quoy & Gaimard, 1827[1] |
| Genera | |
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See text | |
The Diphyidae are a family of siphonophores. These are colonial siphonophores with two nectophores (swimming bells) arranged one behind the other. The front one includes a somatocyst (extension of the gastrovascular system), while the hind one does not. The somatocyst often contains an oil droplet for buoyancy control. A nectosac (central cavity with muscular walls) in each nectophore allows the organism to swim efficiently.[1]
