Deepstaria enigmatica

Deepstaria enigmatica is a very rarely seen giant jellyfish of the family Ulmaridae first described in 1967 by F. S. Russell. The bell of this jellyfish is very thin and wide (up to 60 cm or 2 ft),[1] and resembles a translucent, undulating sheet, lava lamp, or plastic bag as the animal moves. They are usually found in Antarctic and near-Antarctic seas but have been spotted in waters near the United Kingdom and Gulf of Mexico, at depths of 600 to 1,750 meters.[1][2] Unlike many other jellyfish, they lack tentacles.[3] They also are solitary creatures and live all by themselves, contrary to the group living style of many jellyfish. The large bell of the jellyfish has been proposed to be used for either locomotion or feeding when closed. The gastrovascular system of this jellyfish can be clearly seen through its skin as well.[3] The Deepstaria also has a geometric mesh pattern throughout its entire body. The mesh delivers nutrients to the entire jelly as it stretches and contracts to move and capture prey.[4]

Members of Deepstaria have a thin, umbrella-like membrane, a gastrovascular cavity, and lack tentacles. Deepstaria enigmatica move by peristalsis. This is done through contractions that travel in wave-like motion throughout its body. They have no tentacles, so they use the peristaltic wave as means of locomotion and capturing prey.[4] The enigmatica jellyfish begin these wave-like contractions by opening the mouth of the bell as a wave travels through their body. A bulge forms in the center of the body and remains as long as the mouth of the bell remains closed.[4]

Deepstaria enigmatica have been observed during jelly-falls. This happens when a jellyfish carcass falls through the water column to the ocean floor. The first time the Deepstaria enigmatica was observed during a jelly fall, it occured in the lower portion of the oxygen minimum zone of the ocean. It was observed as shrimp and crabs were scavenging its carcass.[4] These jelly falls are advantageous to the ocean floor, causing a source of organic enrichment. The carcasses lead to a restoration of degraded mineral content in the water column. The contribution of these jelly falls is underestimated. The Deepstaria enigmatica fall shows an increase in oxygen availability and organic matter, benefiting the ecosystems found at the bottom of the ocean.[4]

As mentioned above, Deepstaria open and close their bell, or stomach cavity, allowing them to take in prey. This motion also allows isopods (a member of the crustacean family) to enter and live inside the jellyfish. Although the nature of this relationship is not fully understood, scientists currently believe that the isopod rides along and gains nutrients from the Deepstaria while being protected from predators. When the isopod and Deepstaria were seen together in a 1967 dive, scientists reported that the isopod was bright red, around 8 cm in length, and very much alive, suggesting some form of symbiotic relationship. This dive and other findings were recorded in a 1969 article by E.G. Barham and G.V. Pickwell. Their paper identifies the isopod as member of the genus Anuropus. The authors also suggest the possibility of the symbiotic relationship being parasitic.[5][6]

The Deepstaria Jellyfish is translucent, shapeshifting, and tentacle lacking jellyfish. Normally jellyfish use their stinging tentacles to grab prey to eat but the Deepstaria Jellyfish uses a different method to obtain its prey. Instead, they trap their prey inside the bell bag-like structure. A complication of this method is that other organisms can become stowaways inside the jellyfish. Often inside of the bell cavity isopods can be found. (See Symbiotic Relationship)[7]

In the 1960s Jacques Cousteau, a French explorer, unexpectedly found the Deepstaria Jellyfish in a deep-sea exploration mission. He was exploring the deep sea near Southwest Baker Island in a submarine called the Deepstar 4000 which became the inspiration for the name of this jellyfish. The Deepstaria Jellyfish has been found in the Gulf of Mexico, Antarctic, and the Pacific Ocean. In all of these locations the unusual shape shifting jellyfish is found 3000 feet below sea level.[8]

• Russell, F. S. (1967). "On a Remarkable New Scyphomedusan". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 47 (3): 469–73. doi:10.1017/S0025315400035098. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25.

• Deepstaria enigmatica entry at the Taxonomicon
• Deepstaria enigmatica entry at the Marine Species Identification Portal
• McClain, Craig (May 9, 2012). "Solving the Mystery of the Placental Jellyfish".
• Video of deepstaria enigmatica deep beneath oil rig