Hydra viridissima

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Hydra viridissima

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hydrozoa
Order: Hydroida
Family: Hydridae
Genus: Hydra
Species: H. viridissima
Binomial name
Hydra viridissima
Pallas, 1766

Hydra viridissima also known as the green hydra, is a cosmopolitan species of hydra found in both temperate and tropical fresh waters. The characteristic green colour comes from cells of the unicellular alga Chlorella within the cells of the gastrodermis.

When disturbed, Hydra retracts to a small green blob which is easily overlooked. Gently sweeping through a clean weedy pond and allowing the collected water and plant matter to stand in a jar will often reveal a Hydra re-emerging after only a few minutes.

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