A068
Moon Jelly
Aurelia aurita
Category: Cnidaria
Family: Ulmaridae
Moon Jelly
Aurelia aurita
Category: Cnidaria
Family: Ulmaridae
Something a bit different today, if you haven't yet figured it out this blob of sandy goo is jellyfish fresh from the shores of Galveston Beach, Texas. It washed up dead on the shore and made its way to the Sholesonian's collections for the first jelly specimen. This one belongs to the genus Aurelia also known as the common jellyfish as they are found throughout the Atlantic coasts and are also known as moon jellies. They do in fact sting producing a mild burning sensation, a possible rash, and nausea/high blood pressure about half an hour after the sting - nothing serious. Their bodies consist mostly of the bell (top dome area) and tentacles (thin strands that dangle) and can be easily recognized by their distinctive four black spots on top - their reproductive organs; and this species of medusoid is either male or female.
These particular jellyfish (an odd name as they aren't even closely related to fish other than both being animals) is carniverous, eating medusae (umbrella shaped animals in the phylum cnidaria - which includes corals, jellyfish, hydras, and some parasites), plankton, and some mollusks that it is able to capture and kill using its stinging tentacles. It is a free floater (moving along with the currents) but it does swim with limited mobility - thus making it not a true plankton (animals that are unable to move against the current). This specimen is younger, having only reached 4-5 cm in length but typical Aurelia reach lengths of 30 cm. In the wild they usually don't live longer than a year as the warm summer temperatures in combination with completion of mating make them more susceptible to disease and bacterial infections. However, they are often kept as pets and can live for years in appropriate tanks - as seen in many well kept aquariums and zoos.
You can learn more about the species description on moon jellyfish here or about the anatomy and how these moon jellyfish live here. An important note that while these jellyfish don't give off a powerful sting, you should be careful, if stung remove the stingers (without touching them with your skin) then rinse the effected area with vinegar. Also, here's a photo of these guys swimming:
You can learn more about the species description on moon jellyfish here or about the anatomy and how these moon jellyfish live here. An important note that while these jellyfish don't give off a powerful sting, you should be careful, if stung remove the stingers (without touching them with your skin) then rinse the effected area with vinegar. Also, here's a photo of these guys swimming: