Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
Zoom Info
Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
Zoom Info
Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
Zoom Info
Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
Zoom Info
Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages. To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.
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Moonlighting: Throwing Some New Light on the Life Cycle of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Jellyfish have incredibly complex life cycles, involving many different stages during which they look nothing like the typical domed creatures we are so familiar with. Staff from the aquarium at the Horniman Museum and Gardens have been conducting research into the reproduction and development of Moon Jellyfish and have recently released a paper* on the topic along with these remarkable images charting the various developmental stages.

  • To read more detailed descriptions of the life cycle stages see here
  • *Craggs, J. & Robson, J. (2012). Observations of the life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita at the Horniman Museum Aquarium. Quekett Journal of Microscopy, 41, 615-621.

Source: notcot.com

Schleiden M. J. “Die Entwicklung der Meduse”. In: “Das Meer”. Verlag und Druck A. Sacco Nachf., Berlin, 1869. Life Cycle of Scyphozoan Jellyfishes: 1-8 – planula attachment and metamorphosis to scyphistoma stage; 9-10 – scyphistoma strobilation; 11 – ephyra release; 12-14 – transformation of the ephyra into an adult medusa Author: Matthias Jacob Schleiden (1804-1881) Source: NOAA photo library Jellyfish reproduce both sexually and asexually. Upon reaching adult size, jellyfish spawn daily if there is enough food. In most species, spawning is controlled by light, so the entire population spawns at about the same time of day, often at either dusk or dawn. Jellyfish are usually either male or female (hermaphroditic specimens are occasionally found). In most cases, adults release sperm and eggs into the surrounding water, where the (unprotected) eggs are fertilized and mature into new organisms. In a few species, the sperm swim into the female’s mouth fertilizing the eggs within the female’s body where they remain during early development stages. In moon jellies, the eggs lodge in pits on the oral arms, which form a temporary brood chamber for the developing planula larvae. After a growth interval, the polyp begins reproducing asexually by budding and, in the Scyphozoa, is called a segmenting polyp, or a scyphistoma. New scyphistomae may be produced by budding or form new, immature jellies called ephyrae. A few jellyfish species can produce new medusae by budding directly from the medusan stage. Budding sites vary by species; from the tentacle bulbs, the manubrium (above the mouth), or the gonads of hydromedusae. A few species of hydromedusae reproduce by fission (splitting in half). In the second stage, the tiny polyps asexually produce jellyfish, each of which is also known as a medusa. Tiny jellyfish (usually only a millimeter or two across) swim away from the polyp and then grow and feed in the plankton. Medusae have a radially symmetric, umbrella-shaped body called a bell, which is usually supplied with marginal tentacles - fringe-like protrusions from the bell’s border that capture prey. A few species of jellyfish do not have the polyp portion of the life cycle, but go from jellyfish to the next generation of jellyfish through direct development of fertilized eggs. Most jellyfish have a second stage to their life cycle, the planula larvae phase, following the initial egg and sperm phase. Although this is a short lived stage for jellyfish, it is an important phase when the fertilized eggs that had previously undergone embryonic development, hatch, and planulae emerge from the females mouth or brood pouch and are off on their own.                                                                              - From Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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Schleiden M. J. “Die Entwicklung der Meduse”. In: “Das Meer”. Verlag und Druck A. Sacco Nachf., Berlin, 1869.

Life Cycle of Scyphozoan Jellyfishes: 1-8 – planula attachment and metamorphosis to scyphistoma stage; 9-10 – scyphistoma strobilation; 11 – ephyra release; 12-14 – transformation of the ephyra into an adult medusa

Author: Matthias Jacob Schleiden (1804-1881)

Source: NOAA photo library

Jellyfish reproduce both sexually and asexually. Upon reaching adult size, jellyfish spawn daily if there is enough food. In most species, spawning is controlled by light, so the entire population spawns at about the same time of day, often at either dusk or dawn. Jellyfish are usually either male or female (hermaphroditic specimens are occasionally found).

In most cases, adults release sperm and eggs into the surrounding water, where the (unprotected) eggs are fertilized and mature into new organisms. In a few species, the sperm swim into the female’s mouth fertilizing the eggs within the female’s body where they remain during early development stages. In moon jellies, the eggs lodge in pits on the oral arms, which form a temporary brood chamber for the developing planula larvae.

After a growth interval, the polyp begins reproducing asexually by budding and, in the Scyphozoa, is called a segmenting polyp, or a scyphistoma. New scyphistomae may be produced by budding or form new, immature jellies called ephyrae. A few jellyfish species can produce new medusae by budding directly from the medusan stage. Budding sites vary by species; from the tentacle bulbs, the manubrium (above the mouth), or the gonads of hydromedusae. A few species of hydromedusae reproduce by fission (splitting in half).

In the second stage, the tiny polyps asexually produce jellyfish, each of which is also known as a medusa. Tiny jellyfish (usually only a millimeter or two across) swim away from the polyp and then grow and feed in the plankton. Medusae have a radially symmetric, umbrella-shaped body called a bell, which is usually supplied with marginal tentacles - fringe-like protrusions from the bell’s border that capture prey. A few species of jellyfish do not have the polyp portion of the life cycle, but go from jellyfish to the next generation of jellyfish through direct development of fertilized eggs.

Most jellyfish have a second stage to their life cycle, the planula larvae phase, following the initial egg and sperm phase. Although this is a short lived stage for jellyfish, it is an important phase when the fertilized eggs that had previously undergone embryonic development, hatch, and planulae emerge from the females mouth or brood pouch and are off on their own.

                                                                             - From Wikipedia: Jellyfish

Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords. The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water. Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail. Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow. Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.” “Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.” Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment. His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through. He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight. He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.” The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey. “The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”                                                              - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent
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Norway’s Night-Fjorders


They look like alien life forms but they are actually jellyfish swarming through Norway’s fjords.

The invertebrates, which range in size from one centimetre to a metre, were photographed as they hunted for plankton on the surface of the water.

Photographer Espen Rekdal’s images capture the colours and striking patterns of each translucent being in intricate detail.

Some look like parachutes as they float through the water, dragging their tendrils behind them. Others appear to light up the dull waters with their ethereal glow.

Rekdal said: “The deep sea jellyfish, featured here is a special phenomena occurring in only a couple of special fjords. These jellyfish are found worldwide in very deep water. But here in Norway there are a couple of deep fjords were they come up from the deep to feed during the night.”

“Like vampires their cellular structures disintegrate when hit by daylight and they quickly return to the depths at the break of dawn.”

Rekdal, from Romslo, near Bergen, was able to take the shots by diving with specialist underwater camera equipment.

His camera was carefully housed in aluminium watertight casings which have glass portholes to photograph through.

He admitted taking the photographs was no easy task. Even the slightest movement or flash of light could send his subjects diving out of sight.

He said: “Light use is kept to a minimum as the jellyfish quickly react to the light and seek refuge in deeper water.”

The jellyfish, some up to a meter in diameter when arms are extended, swarm in the hundreds, all strutting their arms in hope of catching prey.

“The tricky part is to approach the jellyfish slowly and with as little light as to not warn them of your presence. After the first shot is fired the jellyfish will turn and head for deeper water. Getting good shots is a challenge.”

                                                             - by Sarah C. Nelson, Huffington Post

  • All photos ©Espen Rekdal/Solent

Source: huffingtonpost.co.uk

Dance of the Jellyfish: The Japanese Sea Nettles of Vancouver Aquarium

At some point, you’ve probably heard the conventional wisdom linking tropical fish and stress relief. While it’s tough to pin down a scientific study on the matter, looking at the mesmerizing feed from the jellyfish live camera at the Vancouver Aquarium seems to make a good case for the soothing properties of marine invertebrates.

The Vancouver Aquarium recently displayed majestic moon jellyfish on its live camera and, currently, they’ve got their lens pointed at gracefully flowing Japanese sea nettles.

Japanese sea nettles are characterized by their light-colored bells with dark orange sun bursts and long tentacles that stream 9 to 20 feet behind them. Those tentacles contain powerful nematocysts — stingers — which the jellies use to catch their prey.

The cameras are part of the “Pearls of the Planet” project, an initiative of Explore.org that seeks to educate viewers on the habits and behavior of animals, including endangered species, from wildlife reserves, national parks, zoos and aquariums around the world.

According to a Vancouver Aquarium press release, the “portfolio of live video feeds installed around the world … [helps] people everywhere deepen their connection to nature and reflect on their role in it.”

                                                                           - Text from HuffPost Green

  • To view the Vancouver Aquarium Live Feed see here

Source: The Huffington Post

The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
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The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All… Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal. Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.                                                                       - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish
Zoom Info

The Most An-jelly-ic Creatures of All…

Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. A few jellyfish inhabit freshwater. Large, often colorful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide. Jellyfish have roamed the seas for at least 500 million years and possibly 700 million years or more, making them the oldest multi-organ animal.

Medusa Jellyfish are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. The bell can pulsate for locomotion, while the stinging tentacles are used to capture prey.

                                                                      - Text from Wikipedia: Jellyfish

Source: The Huffington Post

Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
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Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info
Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’… These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet. To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…
Zoom Info

Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’…

These haunting phantom images are stills from a video of the mysterious deepwater jellyfish Deepstaria enigmatica. The bell of this species is remarkably thin, broad and delicate and can measure up to 60cm in diameter. It has been said to resemble a translucent, folding sheet or lava lamp as the animal moves. This particular specimen was recorded at a depth of 5,000 feet.

  • To see video footage of this specimen and read more see here
  • To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here
  • To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…

Wednesday’s WTF!?!: The Ocean ‘Ghost’…

Already proving a hit among the YouTube viral circuit, this video depicts some haunting and mesmerising footage of an unusual underwater creature. It was filmed by an Oceaneering remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) whilst on a drilling operation for the multinational energy corporation Petrobras.

Speculation as to the nature of the ‘beast’ was rife, with opinions ranging from fishing net, to plastic sheeting, whale placenta and of course, extra terrestrial lifeform. It wasn’t long before rationalists were crying out for a definitive identification and thanks to marine biologists Steven Haddock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Craig McClain of the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center it wasn’t long before they got one. This aquatic phantom, they say, is most likely a deepsea jellyfish known as a Deepstaria enigmatica.

On the JellyWatch Facebook page, Haddock and his colleagues explain: “This bag-like jelly is not that rare, but is large, so rarely seen intact. In the video, the swirling from the sub makes the medusa appear to undulate and it even turns inside-out.” Furthermore, “The web-like pattern is not a nerve net, as some comments have said. It is branches from their digestive system.”

McClain postulates that the whitish lumps and strange appendages seen on the animal are, in fact, it’s gonads. In his posting on Deep Sea News, he provides citations on previous sightings of the jellyfish including explanations for it’s collapsed-looking shape.

  • To view some haunting still images of the creature see here
  • To read the Smithsonian Institute’s original 1967 description by F.S. Russell see here
  • To pass the ice-cream see here. Nom nom…