Giant Deep Sea Jellyfish Filmed in Gulf of Mexico

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8638000/8638527.stm ^ | 4/23/2010 | Jody Bourton

[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.

[SunkenCiv]

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