Aglantha
Aglantha is a genus of hydrozoans belonging to the family Liriopeidae, which contains a single species, Aglantha digitale. This species is a common and widely distributed jellyfish found in the open ocean. It is known for its distinctive, bell-shaped body and long, trailing tentacles.
Common Names
Aglantha digitale is often referred to as the "digital jellyfish" or "finger jellyfish" due to the finger-like projections on its bell margin. Other common names include "crown jellyfish" and "white jellyfish".
Characteristics
Aglantha digitale exhibits the typical characteristics of hydrozoan jellyfish. Its body is divided into a bell-shaped, transparent, gelatinous dome called a "bell", and a set of trailing tentacles. The bell, which can reach up to 2 cm in diameter, is covered in small, finger-like projections called "digital tentacles". These tentacles are lined with stinging cells called "nematocysts", which are used for defense and capturing prey. The bell also contains a central "manubrium" with a mouth at the end. The jellyfish also possess four long, trailing tentacles called "tentacles" which are longer than the bell diameter and are used for capturing prey.
Environments
Aglantha digitale is a pelagic species, meaning it lives in the open ocean, typically in the midwater zone (mesopelagic) where sunlight is scarce. It is found in a variety of marine environments, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and can occur in both warm and cold waters. This jellyfish is known for its ability to migrate vertically, traveling up to the surface at night to feed and retreating to deeper waters during the day.
References
For further information on Aglantha digitale, please refer to the following sources: