"I'm ready for my closeup"
Posted on 04/26/2010 3:52:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Direct observations of these creatures from submersibles are very rare.
It has been previously videoed by scientists off the Pacific coast of the US and by ROVs off Japan.
However, this is the first time the giant jelly has been recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.
The researchers reported four chance encounters with jellyfish between 2005 and 2009, during the routine underwater work the energy companies carried out on their underwater structures.
The footage shows the reddish purple coloured jellyfish at depths ranging from 996m to 1747m.
Trap prey
The scientists observed the jellyfish attaching itself to the subsea equipment using its large flattened arms. These "paddle-like" arms lack stinging tentacles, and scientists are unsure of their exact function.
It has been suggested that they might be used to envelop and trap prey. This may explain why the jellyfish appeared to grasp at the artificial structures.
One of the films the researchers captured also shows a fish swimming inside and in close proximity to the bell of the jellyfish. This fish was believed to be Thalassobathia pelagica, a rare fish that has a symbiotic relationship with the jellyfish. By swimming within the jellyfish it is able to feed on scraps of food and have a certain level of protection. Prior to these observations neither Stygiomedusa gigantea or Thalassobathia pelagica had been found in the Gulf of Mexico.
By looking at previous studies and records of the jellyfish, the scientists were able to confirm the species is widespread, with records of it from all oceans except the Arctic.
This study represents the first attempt at a global synthesis of its distribution.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
"I'm ready for my closeup"
Great, our southern border is wide open and now we are being attacked from the sea.
Holy moly! Got to love jellies. I can’t wait to get my first sting of the season at Navarre Beach! Apparently the storms that just passed have blown the Man-o-wars to shore according to beach reports today.
As far as this giant jelly goes...if I run into this character at the beach, I’m giving up.
Hey, I'm eating them as fast as I can!
Not to worry ST, it appears to be coated in crude oil. Did you notice the 5 dollar words in that story?
If I find them, I’ll be sure and send them your way. :)
LOL, like everyone knows their scientific name.
Their function is to attach the jellyfish to the subsea equipment. Did the same guy write both sentences?
Did you see Nidarious Rex in the second posting?
Yum
Would you care for a jellybaby?
Holy Smokes!!! That’s one big ass Jellyfish!! (wheres the peanut butter?)
I, for one, welcome our new underwater overlords...
Do people who fall overboard and are never rescued end up being stung and eaten by large Jelly Fish?
Forget Jaws, this Jelly Fish will give me nightmares.
is that real?
Japanese fishing trawler sunk by giant jellyfish
Giant jellyfish pictures: Japan's Nomura invasion (National Geographic)
How do you tackle an invasion of giant jellyfish? Make sushi (this has the original of the picture; without the diver)
This isn't a Nomura, but it's big anyway:
This is a Nomura: 
This picture is kinda unreal, but I think it's authentic: 
And this is what it looks like when a trawler nets a bunch of 'em: 
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