NOAA researchers captured a new jellyfish
A Yellyfish that looks like a toy spacecraft
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is performing a cruises for the “2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas expedition”. This deepwater exploration mission is investigating the area around the Marianas Trench, the deepest known part of the world’s oceans.
During Dive 4 of the Deepwater on April 24, 2016, scientists captured a beautiful jellyfish that looks so unreal, that it could be a cartoon spacecraft. The jellyfish was seen at a depth of ~3,700 meters while exploring the informally named “Enigma Seamount”. This name was given, as the researches don’t know much about it yet.
Scientist were able to identify that the jellyfish belongs to the genus Crossota. This genus is widespread throughout the oceans. Compared to other hydromedusae, Crossota jellyfish spend their whole life drifting as plankton in the water column and do not have a sessile stage. Worldwide, only 5 species have been identified that belong to this genus. It seems that the scientists have found one more, as they are unable to assign a precise name to this one.
How many more magical species does the deep ocean host?!
What live is thriving in the deep regions of the oceans?
We have so much to explore and to learn about the deep ocean and with each research expedition new fascinating and surprising facts are brought to the surface.
If you want you can follow NOAA’s expedition via live-stream NOAA’s.
STORY SOURCE: The above post is written based on materials provided by NOAA 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. Further information sources: WoRMS and OceanPortal. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
PICTURE SOURCE: published NOAA video
CITE THIS PAGE: “Jellyfish or Cartoon Spacecraft?” The Blue Reporters, May 2016 http://www.thebluereporters.com/2016/05/new-jellyfish-or-cartoon-spacecraft/
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