Giant phantom jelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Giant phantom jelly |
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Stygiomedusa is a genus of giant deep sea jellyfish in the family Ulmaridae. It is monotypic with a single species, Stygiomedusa gigantea. With only 115 sightings in the last 110 years, it is a jellyfish that is rarely seen, but believed to be widespread throughout the world. It is thought to be one of the largest invertebrate predators in the deep sea ecosystem.
The jellyfish has an umbrella-shaped bell that can be up to a metre wide. It also has four "paddle-like" arms up to 10 metres long, which, as they lack stinging tentacles, may be used instead to trap prey. Giant Stygiomedusa have been observed and filmed off the Pacific coast of the United States by scientists and by ROVs off the coast of Japan and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Evidence has been reported of a symbiotic relationship existing between Stygiomedusa gigantea and Thalassobathia pelagica, a species of ophidiiform fish.
Rare monster jellyfish caught on tape – Discovery Channel
See also
In Spanish: Stygiomedusa para niños
