(Delle Chiaje, 1822)
Description
Definitive nectophore [Rosacea cymbiformis ]: generally less rounded and slightly more flattened than those of Rosacea plicata. The deep, gutter-like hydroecium extends the length of the ventral surface, resulting in the relatively small nectosac being displaced dorsally.
Eudoxid [R.cymbiformis-eudox ]: Bract less compact than that of Rosacea plicata, with the dorsal bracteal canal arising proximal to the spur on the left hydroecial canal.
Whole polygastric stage: R.cymbiformis-habitus R.cymbiformis-extended.
Size
Nectophore of adults up to 30 mm in length.
Depth range
In the 200-500 m depth range. Specimens often have been caught by SCUBA divers close to the surface indicating that it may be a shallower-living species than Rosacea plicata.
Remarks
This species closely resembles Rosacea plicata and it may be difficult to distinguish them.
Distribution in the North Sea
Northern North Sea; recorded from the coasts of Scotland.
World distribution
North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. (Probably more common than records suggest due to difficulties in identification).
[After Kirkpatrick and Pugh, 1984]