ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Scientists find surprising species of jellyfish near the Mariana Trench

This mesmerizing jellyfish almost looks photoshopped - but it's as real as it gets.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
May 5, 2016 - Updated on April 26, 2019
in Animals, Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

This mesmerizing jellyfish almost looks photoshopped – but it’s as real as it gets. NOAA researchers have discovered it during the Okeanos Explorer mission near the Mariana Trench, 2.3 miles (3.7 km), containing mesmerizing reflective bulbs in its body.

Image via NOAA.

Scientists believe this animal belongs to the genus Crossota, a group of jellies widespread throughout the oceans. Unlike many other species, they don’t have a sessile stage, but simply float around the waters like plankton.

The creature is likely a predator, judging by its posture in the first part of the video below: its bell is motionless, while its tentacles are spread out like the struts of a spider’s web, waiting for something to stumble onto them.

Initially, it was thought that the bright yellow things (likely gonads) were bioluminescent, but at a better look, it just seems like they are very reflective.

Okeanos Explorer and Deep Discoverer will be probing the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands over the next nine or so weeks, looking for the very rare and special environments and species hosted in the area. This isn’t the first weird species they found around. Just in the past couple of weeks, they’ve found what seems to be a new species of bizarre harp sponge and a crazy-looking dumbo octopus, who just went flying by. They also found field of small, sedimented balls – likely the mysterious (and appropriately named) giant testate amoeba – Gromia sphaerica. It’s a wonderful testament to the diversity of the life that’s just teeming beneath the waters.

You can check out the live feed of their explorations here, and a log of daily highlights and associated videos here. You can also watch live-feed of the exploration here, but remember that their timezone is likely very different from yours. Most ROV dives will begin around 4:30 pm Eastern Time and finish around 12:30 am the next day – a great watch for night owls or for those not in the mood for a movie.

RelatedPosts

IBM images electric charge distribution in a SINGLE molecule – world’s first!
Amid lockdown, Pakistan hires workers to plant trees across the country
Researchers list the 10 lifestyle choices most likely to kill you
Slime can navigate using external memory, despite having no brain – a precursor to the nervous system?

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

News

NASA Astronaut Snaps Rare Sprite Flash From Space and It’s Blowing Minds

byTibi Puiu
5 hours ago
Climate

Deadly Heatwave Killed 2,300 in Europe, and 1,500 of those were due to climate change

byMihai Andrei
6 hours ago
Mind & Brain

You’re not imagining it, Mondays really are bad for your health

byAlexandra Gerea
6 hours ago
Biology

These fig trees absorb CO2 from the air and convert it into stone

byMihai Andrei
6 hours ago

Recent news

NASA Astronaut Snaps Rare Sprite Flash From Space and It’s Blowing Minds

July 9, 2025

Deadly Heatwave Killed 2,300 in Europe, and 1,500 of those were due to climate change

July 9, 2025

You’re not imagining it, Mondays really are bad for your health

July 9, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.