Eerie new footage captures a rare, otherworldly sight. jellyfish Tiny isopods swim about inside the pouch, and the video shows the translucent mass floating in the twilight realm, contracting its vein-filled membrane to encase the bright orange isopods (a type of crustacean) inside its bell-shaped body.
Scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute discovered the unusual creature 2,766 feet (843 meters) deep during an expedition to the Atacama Trench off the coast of Chile. They identified the jellyfish as belonging to the genus Acanthurus. Deep StariaThese jellyfish lack long, stinging tentacles, so they capture prey by wrapping them around their bodies. Instagram Posts from the laboratory. However, the isopods shown in the video are not prey, but rather Permanent Resident.
Deep Staria The jellyfish was first spotted off the coast of California. 1966 They were named after the submersible that discovered them, the Deepstar 4000. Deep Staria Sightings are extremely rare.
Currently, two species are recognized in this genus. Deepstalia Enigmatica and Deepstalia reticulum.
Their exact distribution is unknown, but both species are found in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of California, the Caribbean Sea, and the central Atlantic Ocean. D. Enigmatica It has also been observed in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Pole. All observations were recorded at depths of about 2,000 to 5,700 feet (600 to 1,750 meters). 2018 Survey.
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Deep Staria The jellyfish uses its membranous bell to engulf small crustaceans, fish, and even other jellyfish, then closes the bell to trap the prey inside, a movement that allows the isopod to enter the jellyfish’s body.
According to the post, the footage reveals a network of veins in the body’s digestive system, which are important for digesting and sending food to the stomach, located at the top of the animal’s bell.
“we, Deepstalia Enigmatica It belongs to the family Sea Jellyfish, the same family as moon jellyfish.” Allen CollinsA curator of sponges, jellyfish and ctenophores at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, he was not on the expedition.
“You can see isopods on the underside of the umbrella (inside the bell). Anuropus bacipelagicus “It is often (perhaps always) associated with this jelly,” Collins told Live Science in an email.
A. bacipelagicus is a large blind isopod that can grow to over 1000 meters. 3 inches (8 centimeters) The researchers discovered Anuropus Inhabits both species Deep Staria They then use their hook-like appendages to grasp onto the body.
in 1969In research using the Deep Star submersible, D. Enigmatica It had an unusual, almost motionless swimming style. As the submersible moved, the water shook the jellyfish sideways, causing small Anuropus Isopods clinging to the body.
Upon examination, it was found that parts of the jellyfish’s body, including its stomach and body lining, were missing, which explained the jellyfish’s relaxed behavior and led to the suspicion that the isopods were feeding on the jellyfish. Jellyfish remains were also found in the jellyfish’s stomach contents. A. bacipelagicusThis is because isopods Deep Staria That’s what host Collins said.
However, this could also suggest that the isopods feed on captured prey. Deep Staria.
“They’ve only been mentioned in a handful of papers, and no one has actually tracked isopods specifically what they’re eating. Deep Staria “The host,” Collins explained.
Like a jellyfish Isopods may benefit from having a large floating mass to use as a vehicle and for protection from predators. “Because they’re blind, they would benefit from riding on a jellyfish, perhaps providing a safer hiding place,” Collins says. Deep Staria It is unclear whether the relationship will be dissolved.
