Rhopilema esculentum

, Rhopilema esculentum
Water Type: Marine

Rhopilema esculentum, commonly known as the “Rhopilema esculentum,” is a species of jellyfish belonging to the family Rhizostomatidae. It is a large, distinctive jellyfish with a wide distribution in coastal waters around the world.

Description & Characteristics

Rhopilema esculentum is characterized by its large, dome-shaped bell, which can reach a maximum diameter of up to 60 centimeters. The bell is translucent and typically has a pale blue or yellowish hue. The jellyfish possesses numerous short, arm-like appendages called oral arms, which extend from the underside of the bell. These oral arms are covered in small, tentacle-like structures called nematocysts, which deliver a venomous sting. The jellyfish also has a central mouth located on the underside of the bell, which it uses to capture and consume prey.

Habitat and Occurrence

Rhopilema esculentum is commonly found in coastal waters, often in bays and estuaries. It is a euryhaline species, meaning it can tolerate a wide range of salinity levels. It prefers warm, shallow waters and is typically found in the neritic zone, which is the marine zone extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. It is often associated with rocky reefs and sandy bottoms. Rhopilema esculentum is widely distributed throughout the world, inhabiting the warm waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Taxonomy

Rhopilema esculentum belongs to the Class: Scyphozoa, Order: Rhizostomeae, and Family: Rhizostomatidae. This classification places it within the group of true jellyfish, which are characterized by their bell-shaped bodies, tentacles, and stinging cells. Within this group, Rhopilema esculentum is further classified into the order Rhizostomeae, which includes jellyfish that lack a distinct mouth and instead have numerous oral arms for feeding. Finally, it is assigned to the family Rhizostomatidae, which contains a diverse group of jellyfish species characterized by their large, dome-shaped bells and their ability to capture prey using their oral arms.

Feeding

Rhopilema esculentum is a carnivorous jellyfish, feeding primarily on plankton and small fish. Its oral arms, covered with nematocysts, are used to capture and paralyze prey. Once paralyzed, the prey is transported to the jellyfish’s central mouth, where it is digested. The jellyfish’s feeding behavior plays an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by controlling populations of small organisms.

Associated Species

Image References

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