Jellyfish

We watched a young jellyfish (Aequorea victoria) swimming along just below the surface. Jellyfish are a kind of sea animal that drifts around in the water column, carried by wind, waves, and currents. They are related to coral and to sea anemones. This jellyfish was probably feeding on tiny marine organisms, called zooplankton, which it catches with its tentacles. We could see the jellyfish move by contracting muscles on its underside to propel a jet of water out of its body. As the water was pushed in one direction, the jellyfish moved in the opposite direction. This method is surprisingly effective!

Jellyfish generally do not suffer any impacts from oil floating on the water surface. However, if the oil is dispersed down into the water, the jellyfish tentacles may pick up oil droplets and move them to its center, where it will try to consume them. Many species of jellyfish frequent the upper part of the water column and thus can be at greater risk from oil on the surface of the water. We really don't know the effects of oil on jellyfish because little research has been done on this topic.

(08.09.04, unknown)