Jellyfish. Phosphorescent jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) floating around a female swimmer. On mechanical stimulation, such as that caused by a ship's w
Jellyfish. Phosphorescent jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) floating around a female swimmer. On mechanical stimulation, such as that caused by a ship's wake, these jellyfish glow brightly. The jellyfish paralyse their prey with stinging cells (nematocysts) on their tentacles which, when extended, hang down from their semi-spherical umbrellas. The umbrellas can grow to 8 cm in diameter. P. noctiluca lives in the Mediterranean Sea and the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean. They are often found in shoals, mainly drifting with the currents. Some jellyfish can cause painful stings, which in some cases can be fatal. Photographed in the Mediterranean Sea.
Size: 3579px × 2480px
Photo credit: © PASCAL GOETGHELUCK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, coelenterate, invertebrate, invertebrates, jellyfish, nature, noctiluca, pelagia, phosphorescent, swimmer, umbrella, wildlife, zoology
