Foraminifers epibiontic on Eudendrium (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from the Mediterranean Sea

Four species of foraminifers Rosalina globularis, Lobatula lobatula, Acervulina inhaerens and Miniacina miniacea were observed as epiltionts on some species of the athecate hydroids of the genus Eudendrium-E. armatum, E. glomeratum, E. moulouyensis and E. racemosum-from the Mediterranean Sea. The abundance and the distribution of the protozoans were determined for each hydroid and considered in relation to the shape and size of the Eudendrium branches. Results revealed differences in the composition of the epibiontic assemblage among different species of Eudendrium which were dependent on several factors, but were mainly related to the habitat and to the morphology of the host