Anthomedusae

Anthomedusae or Anthomedusa, the athecate hydroids, are an order of the Hydrozoa, a class of marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. A profusion of alternate scientific names exists for this long-known, heavily discussed, and spectacular group. It has also been called Gymnoblastea and (with or without an emended ending -ae) Anthoathecata, Athecata, Hydromedusa, and Stylasterina. There are about 1,200 species worldwide.