New Observations on a Rare Physonect Siphonophore,Lychnagalma Utricularia(Claus, 1879)

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Abstract
A rare physonect siphonophore,Lychnagalma utricularia(Claus, 1879), is redescribed from 24 specimens collected in the region of the Bahamas by the submersible D.S.R.V. ‘Johnson-Sea-Link II’. It was the most common siphonophore collected by the submersible, using its sophisticated sampling techniques. The paucity of previous records for the species, and thus its apparent rarity, is probably due to the extreme fragility of the animals which causes them to disintegrate on contact with nets. The status of the second species,L. vesiculariaHaeckel, 1888, is reviewed and it is concluded that it should be reduced to a junior synonym ofL. utricularia.