Diphyidae | |
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Diphyes sp. from the Black Sea | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hydrozoa |
Order: | Siphonophorae |
Suborder: | Calycophorae |
Family: | Diphyidae Quoy & Gaimard, 1827[1] |
Genera | |
See text
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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]