Rare giant jellyfish discovered beneath Antarctic ice
Scientists have discovered a rare deep-sea predator beneath the ice of Antarctica. Stygiomedusa gigantea, known as the giant jellyfish, astonished researchers with its size.
Key Information
- The discovery occurred under the ice of Antarctica.
- Stygiomedusa gigantea is a rare deep-sea predator.
- The SuBastian submersible mission revealed abundant marine life.
While exploring a newly exposed section of the Antarctic seabed, scientists encountered an exceptionally rare deep-sea predator. Stygiomedusa gigantea, also known as the giant phantom jelly, impressed researchers with its immense size and enigmatic appearance.
Giant Phantom Jelly
Stygiomedusa gigantea is a scyphozoan with a bell diameter exceeding 1 metre, and its arms can reach lengths of up to 10 metres. Although often referred to as a jellyfish, this is only one of the developmental stages of this species. Its natural habitat is the deep ocean, where it can adopt a red hue due to light exposure.
The discovery was made during the mission of the SuBastian submersible, which dived to a depth of 1,300 metres. During this expedition, not only was Stygiomedusa gigantea recorded, but also numerous anemones, sponges, cephalopods, and crustaceans. The appearance of the mysterious scyphozoan, however, captured the most attention from the researchers.
Rarely Seen Deep-Sea Inhabitant
Until now, Stygiomedusa gigantea had only been observed in Antarctic waters at depths of up to 280 metres. However, its actual range may be much broader. Despite its size, it is not the largest known scyphozoan.
The data collected during the expedition may greatly enhance our understanding of the mysterious life of deep-sea cnidarians. Their existence remains largely unknown, and discoveries like this contribute to a better knowledge of these extraordinary creatures.
