Biology:Jelly blubber
| Jelly blubber | |
|---|---|
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| Jelly blubber in Port Phillip Bay, Australia | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Scyphozoa |
| Order: | Rhizostomeae |
| Family: | Catostylidae |
| Genus: | Catostylus |
| Species: | C. mosaicus
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| Binomial name | |
| Catostylus mosaicus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
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The jelly blubber (Catostylus mosaicus), also known as the blue blubber jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish from coastal regions in the Indo-Pacific. It is the most commonly encountered jellyfish along the Australian eastern coast and large swarms sometimes appear in estuarine waters.
Description
In Sydney waters, the jelly blubber's large bell is a creamy white or brown colour, but farther north in Australia it is usually blue.[1] The colours are derived from symbiotic algal plant cells within the body of the jellyfish.[2][3] There is no obvious mouth on the underside, but there are small openings on each arm, through which food is passed to the stomach.[4] The tentacles also have stinging cells that can capture tiny crustaceans and other plankton. It can grow up to 35cm across.[2]
The sting can be painful but generally poses no serious risk to humans.
Distribution and habitat
This jellyfish is found in coastal parts of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, it occurs off the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It can also enter intertidal estuaries.[5]
Food
Eats mainly plankton, small fish, some crustaceans, and small particles in the ocean water.
References
- ↑ "Catostylus mosaicus". Julian Rocks. http://www.julianrocks.net/jellies/CatostylusMosaicus.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Blue Blubber". https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Explore/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Sea+Life/Corals+and+relatives+Cnidaria/Scyphozoans/Blue+Blubber.
- ↑ "Jelly Blubber" (in en). 14 October 2020. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/jellyfish/jelly-blubber/.
- ↑ "Blubber jelly". Monterey Bay Aquarium. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/invertebrates/blubber-jelly.
- ↑ "Catostylus mosaicus (Quoy & Gaimard)". World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=220491.
Wikidata ☰ Q2709311 entry
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