(Murbach and Shearer, 1902)
Description
Umbrella bell-shaped, higher than broad, with solid apical projection usually low and rounded [Leuckartiara breviconis ]. Jelly thin, velum broad. The four undivided radial canals are broad and ribbon-like, with jagged edges; interradial centripetal canals absent.
Gastric peduncle absent, manubrium broad, attached to radial canals by well-developed mesenteries, more than half as long as bell cavity. Mouth with much crenulated lips.
Gonads interradial, horseshoe shaped with horizontal folds directed towards interradii, usually only in upper half of manubrium; the diverging folds connected by an interradial, transverse bridge; interradial pits absent.
Up to 140 marginal tentacles, densely crowded, fully developed tentacles alternating with smaller ones. Bulbs laterally compressed, grasping border of umbrella, but without true spurs or club-shaped rudiments; ocelli absent.
Size
Umbrella up to 45 mm high and 35 mm wide.
Colour
[L.breviconis-habitus ] Umbrella bluish; marginal tentacles, gonads and manubrium dark red or purple.
Ecology
Young specimens were taken in late May, very large specimens in June-July.
Distribution in the North Sea
Northern North Sea, Skagerrak.
World distribution
E North Atlantic, Arctic Ocean, N North Pacific.
Remark
Polypoid stage unknown.
[After Russell, 1953a; Russell, 1955; Kramp, 1959]