Cephea

Cephea is a genus of scyphozoan jellyfish belonging to the family Cepheidae. Commonly known as “crown jellyfish”, these species are recognized for their distinctive dome-shaped bells adorned with prominent, arm-like oral arms. They are found in various marine environments across the globe, particularly in tropical and subtropical waters.

Crowned Jellyfish – Cephea cephea

Characteristics

Cephea jellyfish are characterized by:

  • A bell-shaped body with a central dome (umbrella) and a smooth, gelatinous texture.
  • Four prominent, long, and branched oral arms extending from the mouth. These arms are covered in stinging nematocysts, used to capture prey.
  • A ring of tentacles surrounding the bell's margin, often extending considerably in length.
  • A lack of a true stomach, instead having a network of radial canals that distribute nutrients throughout the body.
  • A life cycle involving both polyp and medusa stages. The polyp stage is sedentary and produces medusae through budding.

Environments

Cephea species inhabit various marine environments, including:

  • Coastal waters, particularly in bays and estuaries.
  • Open ocean, often in pelagic zones.
  • Tropical and subtropical waters.

Distribution

The distribution of Cephea species spans various regions around the world, including:

  • The Indo-Pacific region.
  • The Atlantic Ocean.
  • The Mediterranean Sea.

Diet

Cephea jellyfish are carnivores, feeding primarily on:

  • Small crustaceans, such as copepods and krill.
  • Fish larvae.
  • Zooplankton.

References

For more information on Cephea, you can refer to the following resources: