Siphonophorae-Global Diversity (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

The history of Siphonophores is discussed in this article, from Carl Linnaeus first formal description in 1785 to the present, and species richness, as well as an overview of the world-wide distribution of this pelagic group within the clade Hydrozoa, is discussed. Siphonophores have three fundamental body designs, which are briefly described and illustrated, as well as numerous atypical body layouts. The latest WoRMS world list recognises 175 legitimate Siphonophore species, divided into 16 families and 65 genera.