One of the most impressive and at the same time elusive assets of the oceans is the oceans. Giant jellyfish that can reach 10 meters in length and it has been seen several times since it was discovered a little over a century ago. Researchers from the Viking expedition company recently stumbled upon an example. Stygiomedusa gigantea and they got some really amazing videos and photos.
The observations were made during a small diver dive in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2022.Only 126 observations of the giant ghost jellyfish have been recorded since the species was first described in 1910.
According to the maps reflecting these observations, two of them would have been made. On the Cantabrian coast, between the Basque Country and Cantabria. However, the largest number of observations were made on the Antarctic continent and off the coast of North America.
This jellyfish can grow up to 10 meters in length thanks to its huge arms. The ghostly presence is reminiscent of strips of toilet paper waving across the sea.
Jellyfish have an umbrella-shaped bell that can expand up to one meter.. Since they lack stinging tentacles on their four long arms, they can be used to grab prey directly. It has a deep reddish brown or plum color typical of deep-sea animals.
In his study published in the journal Polar Research Details of the observation from the Norwegian Polar Institute with the underwater Viking Cruises Viking Octantis to help researchers observe underwater animals difficult to observe.
According to the scientists involved in the expedition, the creature was larger than the diver When detected at a depth of several hundred meters near Rongé Island in Antarctica.
“It is extraordinary that we know so little about sea creatures as large as giant ghost jellyfish; however, we now have the opportunity to make regular observations at greater depths than was possible before, which presents an exciting opportunity for exploration,” explains Daniel Moore, lead author of the study published in the Norwegian Polar Institute scientific journal.
The giant ghost jellyfish is believed to lurk anywhere in the oceans to a depth of 100 meters. 6,665 meters and feeds on plankton and small fish.
Reference work: https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/8873
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