Home / Science / Rare Phantom Jellyfish Amazes Scientists Off Argentina
Rare Phantom Jellyfish Amazes Scientists Off Argentina
6 Feb
Summary
- A giant phantom jellyfish was sighted 250m deep off Argentina's coast.
- This rare creature can grow up to 1m wide with 10m long arms.
- Unexpected biodiversity was discovered during deep-sea exploration.
A rare phantom jellyfish, Stygiomedusa gigantea, has been sighted in the deep waters off Argentina's coast. This remarkable discovery occurred approximately 250 meters below the surface of the South Atlantic Ocean. Scientists on an expedition along the Argentine coastline were astonished by the encounter with the gelatinous giant.
The Stygiomedusa gigantea is known for its immense size. Its bell can reach up to 1 meter in diameter, with four ribbon-like arms extending up to 10 meters long. These arms are used for catching prey, such as plankton and small fish, rather than stinging. The jellyfish was observed contracting and extending these tendrils in the deep ocean, as recorded by an autonomous submersible.
This expedition, led by scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute and the University of Buenos Aires, revealed a surprising level of biodiversity in the Argentine deep sea. Dr. Maria Emilia Bravo, the expedition's chief scientist, expressed excitement over the vibrant ecosystem. Alongside the phantom jellyfish, researchers identified what may be the largest known coral reef in the global ocean.
