(Hellesøy - Hordaland / 9 meters / 7.09.2007)

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Scyphozoa

Order: Semaeostomaeida

Family: Ulmaridae

Scientific name: Aurelia aurita

 

Norwegian: glassmanet

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Distribution: The Moon jelly is found over the entire world. You have not been much at sea, if you have not seen this one.

Characteristics: The four circles make it difficult to mistake for any other species. The moon jelly can reach a diameter of almost half a meter.

Biology: It feeds on plankton that sticks to its surface. During late fall or early winter it disintegrate, as many other jellyfish. The offspring survives the winter as larvae attached to the bottom. By asexual reproduction it forms stacks of platters. In the spring the platters are released to start their pelagic life phase.

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