String Jelly – Apolemia uvaria

String Jelly, scientifically known as Apolemia uvaria, is a fascinating colonial organism often mistaken for a single animal. This remarkable creature, a siphonophore, is a complex aggregation of individual zooids, each with specialized functions, working together to form a unified structure. It is one of the most visually striking organisms found in the ocean, resembling a long, trailing string of beads.

Description & Characteristics

Apolemia uvaria is characterized by its distinctive elongated shape, resembling a string of beads. The colony can reach significant lengths, with some specimens growing to over 100 feet. It is comprised of numerous zooids, each with specific roles. The zooids are interconnected, forming a functional unit that allows the colony to move, feed, and reproduce. Apolemia uvaria is often brightly colored, displaying shades of blue, purple, and red, adding to its visual allure. Its long, trailing tentacles are equipped with stinging nematocysts, used to capture prey.

Habitat and Occurrence

Apolemia uvaria is typically found in the pelagic zone of the ocean, inhabiting both warm and temperate waters. Its distribution spans the world’s oceans, from the tropical to the subtropical regions. This siphonophore is often observed in the epipelagic zone, the uppermost layer of the ocean, but has also been found in deeper waters. Their preference for these zones aligns with their feeding habits, as they rely on the abundance of plankton in these regions.

Taxonomy

Apolemia uvaria belongs to the Class: Hydrozoa, Order: Siphonophorae, and Family: Apolemiidae. This classification places it within a group of marine animals known for their colonial nature and their diverse adaptations to a pelagic lifestyle.

Feeding

Apolemia uvaria is a carnivorous predator, primarily feeding on plankton, including small crustaceans and fish larvae. The long, trailing tentacles of the colony are armed with stinging nematocysts that paralyze prey. Once captured, the food is passed along the colony to the feeding zooids for digestion.