Cassiopea andromeda

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Cassiopea andromeda
Cassiopea andromeda - Mangrovenqualle.jpg
Specimen at the Cologne Zoo
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Rhizostomeae
Family: Cassiopeidae
Genus: Cassiopea
Species:
C. andromeda
Binomial name
Cassiopea andromeda
Forskål, 1775
Synonyms
  • Cassiopea andromeda var. malayensisMaas, 1903 [1]
  • Cassiopea depressa subsp. pictaVanhöffen, 1888 [2]
  • Cassiopea pictaVanhöffen, 1888 [3]
  • Cassiopea polypoidesKeller, 1883 [4]
  • Medusa andromedaForskål, 1775 [5]

Cassiopea andromeda is one of many cnidarian species called the upside-down jellyfish. It usually lives in intertidal sand or mudflats, shallow lagoons, and around mangroves. This jellyfish, often mistaken for a sea anemone, usually keeps its mouth facing upward. Its yellow-brown bell, which has white or pale streaks and spots, pulsates to run water through its arms for respiration and to gather food.

Contents

Alimentation and strategies

Cassiopea andromeda is carnivorous and eats small animals from the sea or just pieces of them after it paralyzes its prey with its mucus and nematocysts when they are released. This jellyfish also lives in a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae, the zooxanthellae, and with shrimps. The zooxanthellae live in the tissues of the ventral surface of its body and it is the responsible for the color of it. As the zooxanthellae gets food for the Cassiopea andromeda, in response, it gets the sunlight that is necessary for the photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae. Therefore, the shrimp has a different symbiotic relationship with this jellyfish. It lives in its tentacles and protects it by taking the parasites off. In exchange, the Cassiopea andromeda mainly offers protection to the shrimp from the environment. This symbiotic relationship is called mutualism, where both species benefit from their interactions.

Symbiotic relationship between C. andromeda and algae Cassiopeia andromeda (Upside-down jellyfish).jpg
Symbiotic relationship between C. andromeda and algae

Reproduction

As a cnidarian, this jellyfish has an asexual and sexual reproduction. It reproduces by budding when it is in a polyp form. When it is in a medusa form, it reproduces sexually. The medusa female produces the eggs and keeps them. As the male produces the sperm and releases them in the water, the female uses its tentacles to bring the sperm to fertilize its eggs.

Size

This jellyfish can measure a maximum of 30.0 cm wide.

Interactions with humans

The species can deliver a painful sting. Symptoms include mild pain, rash, and swelling.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snakelocks anemone</span> Species of sea anemone

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<i>Cassiopea xamachana</i> Species of jellyfish

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thimble jellyfish</span> Species of cnidarian

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<i>Chrysaora plocamia</i> Species of jellyfish

The South American sea nettle is a species of jellyfish from the family Pelagiidae. It is found from the Pacific coast of Peru, south along Chile's coast to Tierra del Fuego, and north along the Atlantic coast of Argentina, with a few records from Uruguay. Despite its common name, it is not the only sea nettle in South America. For example, C. lactea is another type of sea nettle in this region. Historically, C. plocamia was often confused with C. hysoscella, a species now known to be restricted to the northeast Atlantic. C. plocamia is a large jellyfish, up to 1 m in bell diameter, although most mature individuals only are 25–40 cm (10–16 in).

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<i>Cassiopea ornata</i> Species of jellyfish

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Cephea cephea, also known as the crown jellyfish, or cauliflower jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish in the family Cepheidae. It occurs in the tropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific to Northern Australia. The species was first described by Peter Forsskål in 1775 and originally given the name Medusa cephea. It inhabits the pelagic zone of tropical and sub-tropical waters and is most commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific, eastern Atlantic and the Red Sea. Although this species is among the most venomous jellyfish, it is not harmful to humans and is eaten as a delicacy and used for medical purposes in China and Japan. The species can achieve a diameter of up to 60 cm.

<i>Versuriga</i> Genus of cnidarians

Versuriga is a monotypic genus of jellyfishes belonging to the monotypic family Versurigidae. The only species is Versuriga anadyomene. This species is rare, only having been sighted in a limited region. However, it can be identified by its gradient-like coloration, as well as its umbrella shaped bell, which is common amongst other members of the class Scyphozoa. This species is important for many reasons, ranging from ecological interactions to socioeconomic benefits. Notably, Versuriga is able to form commensalistic relationships with other organisms, impacting biodiversity, as well as being a food source for humans and other predators.

References

  1. Cassiopea andromeda var. malayensis Maas, 1903 in GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset doi:10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-05-29.
  2. Cassiopea depressa subsp. picta Vanhöffen, 1888 in GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset doi:10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-05-29.
  3. Collins, A.G.; Morandini, A.C. (2023). World List of Scyphozoa. Cassiopea picta Vanhöffen, 1888. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2023-05-29.
  4. WoRMS (2023). Cassiopea polypoides Keller, 1883. Accessed at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1561018 on 2023-05-29.
  5. WoRMS (2023). Medusa andromeda Forskål, 1775. Accessed at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1393206 on 2023-05-29.