This lovely comb jelly is a new species discovered in early March by Lisa Gershwin, an Australian marine biologist. Comb jellies, also called ctenophores, are not related to jellyfish – instead of stinging cells they have fine combs or “ctenes” of cilia. The rainbow colors are caused by light refracted off the rows of beating cilia.
According to National Geographic, Dr. Gershwin has discovered over 159 new species in Australia, and wonders “…how many fragile species are out there, right under our noses, that we have overlooked…”
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It’s almost unbelievable how amazing ctenophors are. Pure beauty.
“not related to jellyfish”
at all??
*unnecessary harrassment
Taxonomic troll! But if you must…their taxonomic position is unclear. Molecular evidence suggests they are a basal sister group to cnidarians, but morphological work suggests they are closer to the deuterostomes. Paging Christopher Taylor…
Damn that’s pretty.
Since there’s usually giant blooms of ctenophores in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay every summer, you can see some for yourself if you want!