The world's largest jellyfish is the arctic cyanea, also known as the hairy cyanea or lion's mane (lat. Cyanea capillata, Cyanea arctica). The length of the tentacles of these jellyfish can reach 37 meters, and the diameter of the dome is up to 2.5 meters and is the longest animal on the planet.
Cyanos is translated from Latin as blue, and capillus - hair or capillary, i.e. literally a blue-haired jellyfish. This is a representative of the scyphoid jellyfish of the order Discomedusae. Cyanea exists in several types. Their number is a subject of dispute between scientists, however, two more varieties are currently distinguished - blue (or blue) cyanea (suapea lamarckii) and Japanese cyanea (suapea capillata nozakii). These relatives of the giant “lion’s mane” are significantly smaller in size.
The Atlantic cyanea, according to experts, can reach a diameter of up to 2.5 meters, in comparison with the blue whale, which is a popular example when designating the longest animal, can reach 30 meters in length, weighing about 180 tons, then the claim of the giant cyanea the title of the longest animal on Earth is quite understandable.
Giant cyanea is a resident of cold and moderately cold waters. It is also found off the coast of Australia, but is most numerous in the northern seas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in the open waters of the Arctic seas. It is here, in the northern latitudes, that it reaches record sizes. Cyanea does not take root in warm seas, and even if it penetrates into milder climatic zones, it does not grow more than half a meter in diameter.
In 1865, a huge jellyfish with a dome diameter of 2.29 meters and a length of tentacles reaching 37 meters was thrown onto the shore of Massachusetts Bay (the North Atlantic coast of the United States). This is the largest specimen of giant cyanide, the measurement of which is documented.
The body of cyanea has a variety of colors, with a predominance of red and brown tones. In adult specimens, the upper part of the dome is yellowish and its edges are red. The oral lobes are crimson-red, the marginal tentacles are light, pink and purple. Juveniles are much brighter in color.
Cyans have many extremely sticky tentacles. All of them are grouped into 8 groups. Each group contains 65-150 tentacles arranged in a row. The dome of the jellyfish is also divided into 8 parts, giving it the appearance of an eight-pointed star.
Cyanea capillata jellyfish are both male and female. During fertilization, cyanea males release mature sperm into the water through their mouths, from where they penetrate into the brood chambers located in the females' oral lobes, where fertilization of the eggs and their development occur. Next, the planula larvae leave the brood chambers and swim in the water column for several days. Having attached to the substrate, the larva transforms into a single polyp - a scyphistoma, which actively feeds, increases in size and can reproduce asexually, budding from itself daughter scyphists. In the spring, the process of transverse division of the scyphistoma—strobilation—begins and the larvae of ethereal jellyfish are formed. They look like transparent stars with eight rays, they do not have marginal tentacles or mouth lobes. The ethers break away from the scyphistoma and float away, and by mid-summer they gradually turn into jellyfish.
Most of the time, cyanea hover in the surface layer of water, periodically contracting the dome and flapping its edge blades. At the same time, the tentacles of the jellyfish are straightened and extended to their full length, forming a dense trapping network under the dome. Cyaneans are predators. Long, numerous tentacles are densely packed with stinging cells. When they are fired, a strong poison penetrates the victim's body, killing small animals and causing significant damage to larger ones. The prey of cyanides is various planktonic organisms, including other jellyfish; sometimes small fish are caught that stick to the tentacles.
Although the Arctic cyanide is poisonous to humans, its poison is not so powerful as to lead to death, although one case of death from the poison of this jellyfish has been recorded in the world. It can cause an allergic reaction and possibly a skin rash. And at the point where the jellyfish’s tentacles touch the skin, a person can get a burn and subsequent redness of the skin, which goes away over time.
Everyone knows very well that in absolutely every species of vertebrate animal you can find the most outstanding representative, who for one reason or another has become a record holder. But not only vertebrates are distinguished by some peculiarity.
Invertebrate animals are also not inferior to their vertebrate “brothers” in terms of records. One of such outstanding invertebrates is considered to be the giant cyanea jellyfish.
Giant sea miracle
Hairy cyanea- This is undoubtedly the largest jellyfish in the entire body of water in the world. This is truly a gigantic sea miracle. Scientifically speaking, the invertebrate is called Cuanea arctica. From Latin it is translated as “Arctic cyanide”. You can meet this majestic creature in the heights of the northern hemisphere. Compared to its counterparts, the Arctic cyanide has a beautiful color. The pink-purple cyanea jellyfish can be observed in any northern sea that flows into the oceans:
- Quiet.
- Atlantic.
As a rule, it lives close to the shore, mainly near the surface of the water. Scientists who studied the giant jellyfish assumed that it lives in the Azov and Black Seas. But all attempts to discover Arctic cyanide there were in vain.
The enormous size of the invertebrate giant
According to the results of the latest study carried out by members of the Cousteau team, we can say that the diameter of the so-called body is about 2.5 meters. But the main pride of the Arctic cyanide is associated with its tentacles. Incredibly, the length of these truly majestic limbs can reach 42 meters. Researchers around the world have come to the conclusion that the size of the Arctic cyanide is directly influenced by its habitat. More precisely, the temperature of the water in that place. It has already been proven that the largest specimens live in the icy waters of the ocean.
Appearance
This species of invertebrate has a rather specific and interesting body color. Mostly the body of Arctic cyanide consists of flowers:
- red;
- brown;
- violet.
As the jellyfish matures, its body gradually begins to turn yellow. And along the edges of the body red shades appear. The tentacles emanating from the edges of the body, or domes as it is also called, are predominantly purple-pink in color. The oral cavity is usually red-crimson. The dome of the giant jellyfish is shaped like a hemisphere. Along the edges of the body, there are 16 smoothly transitioning blades, separated from each other by special cuts. Some people compare it to a lion's mane. Indeed, there are similarities. And so another name was attached to this giant, the “lion’s mane” jellyfish.
Lifestyle
Jellyfish of this species spend a lot of time swimming freely, living closer to the surface of the ocean. By nature, the lion's mane jellyfish is a predator. Moreover, it is very dangerous and active . Her diet mainly consists of:
- plankton located in the upper layers of water;
- crustaceans;
- small fish.
During the “hunger years,” when jellyfish cannot find food for themselves, they can exist for a long time without food. But it often happens that they transform into cannibals and begin to devour their fellows.
Until recently, the hunting method of this jellyfish was unknown. . Arctic cyanea, floats to the surface of the reservoir. Spreads its huge tentacles in all directions. After the preparatory stages, the time of waiting for its victim begins. Scientists who studied the behavior of a jellyfish during hunting noticed that in this position it is very similar to algae, which, in turn, is similar to a lion’s mane. This is one of the reasons why the Arctic invertebrate is called the lion's mane jellyfish.
The victim, suspecting nothing, heads towards these “algae”. As soon as the prey touches this “lion’s mane,” the predator quickly grabs it with its tentacles and injects its poison into the prey’s body. This poison paralyzes all the vital organs of the victim, and when it no longer shows any signs of life, the jellyfish eats it. It is worth noting that the poison produced is present along the entire length of the tentacle and has a strong effect.
Reproduction
These invertebrates have a unique method of reproduction.. The sperm of the male splashes out of his mouth into the female's mouth. After sperm enter the female’s mouth, it is there that they begin to turn into embryos. After some time, the offspring emerge from the mother in the form of larvae. The larvae begin to cling to the substrate, forming a solid polyp. After several months, the resulting polyp multiplies. Due to this, larvae appear, which in the future will become jellyfish.
To this day, the largest specimen caught that has been officially recorded is an invertebrate of this type diameter 2.3 meters. The length of the giant creature's tentacle was 36 meters. This phenomenon happened in 1870, near the state of Massachusetts. But this is far from the largest aquatic inhabitant. Using modern equipment, scientists have discovered that there are much larger representatives of this species. But so far no one has been able to see this majestic miracle.
The burn that a jellyfish can leave is very painful. Large specimens of this invertebrate species are considered potentially dangerous to humans. Death after an encounter with a jellyfish was recorded once. This was because the venom from the tentacle caused an allergic reaction in the victim, which was fatal. Although the venom of the lion's mane jellyfish is practically harmless to humans, if it enters the body, you should consult a doctor.
Cyanea capillata (Otherwise called the giant arctic jellyfish, hairy jellyfish, blue-haired jellyfish or lion's mane jellyfish) is the largest of the jellyfish. Moreover, it is one of the longest living creatures on the planet (The first place is occupied by the blue whale, which is about 30 meters long and weighs 180 tons. In third place are worms of the nematode family and tapeworms).
The bell size of some representatives of this species exceeds 2 meters, and the weight can reach 300 kg. The tentacles of large individuals can reach a length of 20 meters. In 1865, a specimen with tentacles 37 meters long was discovered on the North Atlantic coast of the United States.
Cyanea is 94% water.
The hemispherical bell of the Arctic cyanea jellyfish has figured edges and consists of 2 layers of fabric.
The bell is divided into 8 beats. Each of the lobes has certain depressions at its base. The lobes contain the sense organs of the jellyfish (smell and light receptors).
On the inside of the umbrella, along the entire perimeter of the jellyfish’s mouth, there are small tentacles. In addition to the bottom, cyanea also has tentacles up to 20 meters long!
Just imagine 8 groups of tentacles, 150 in each group!!! And they all contain poisonous stinging organs - nematocysts. The jellyfish's venom is strong, but does not pose a threat to human life. However, poisoning and burns from a “close acquaintance” with this giant of the sea are guaranteed.
Interestingly, giant hairy jellyfish are divided by gender. Sperm and eggs are produced in their peculiar pouches located on the walls of the stomach. When the sperm mature, the male brings them out through his mouth. The female (again through the mouth) passes sperm to her egg, thus fertilization occurs.
Until the larvae fully mature, the cyanea eggs rest in the tentacles of their huge parents. The larvae that emerge from the eggs settle to the bottom, becoming polyps. Over time, small appendages grow on the polyps and then separate from them. It is they who will become the new jellyfish in the future.
Cyaneans feel best in cold waters; this is where the largest specimens of these poisonous beauties are found. But more and more often news is coming that giant jellyfish are starting to appear in warm seas. Moreover, Japan and China are forced to limit fishing due to the appearance of jellyfish. Entire, I’m not afraid of this wording, fleets of giant jellyfish are increasingly attacking the Sea of Japan!!!
Here's what they write in Japanese newspapers:
"To reduce the damage caused by jellyfish, Professor Yui developed
an early signaling system for the arrival of giant jellyfish in the Sea of Japan. This system involves testing the jellyfish population through travel from Chinese coastal waters to the Sea of Japan. The resulting data, then translated into mathematical models, will be able to predict the giant jellyfish's routes into the Sea of Japan and their approximate arrival times up to three months in advance.
These types of warnings give fishermen time to prepare their nets to protect them from giant jellyfish. However, such setups are too expensive for many fishermen. It is clear that such methods are only short-term adjustments and not a long-term solution to the problem."
Cyaneas are pelagic inhabitants of the seas, that is, they live mainly at a depth of about 20 meters, rarely approaching the shores (to be honest, I was incredibly pleased with this news, and you?). Throughout their lives, jellyfish rely on ocean currents to move their jelly-like bodies. Lazily moving their long tentacles, in which small fish and invertebrates find a safe haven, jellyfish spend the time allotted to them by the laws of nature...
The largest jellyfish in the world is the Arctic cyanide. This is a very interesting inhabitant of sea waters in its lifestyle and structure. Lives in cold areas of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, where conditions are extremely harsh. It lives in the upper layers of water at a depth of no more than 20 meters. It stays in open waters and moves with sea currents. It rarely approaches the coastline.
The coloring of this jellyfish is remarkable. In young individuals it is much brighter than in mature ones. Common colors are dirty orange, purple and brown. At the same time, the upper part of the dome is mostly yellow. The oral lobes are red-crimson. The tentacles located along the edges of the dome have purple and pink shades.
The dome has a hemispherical shape. Its edges are blades. There are 16 of them. Rhopalia are located between the blades. They contain organs of balance (statocysts), nerve centers and eyes. The tentacles are long, they are collected in bunches and are located behind the concave side of the dome. And in its central lower part there is a mouth opening. It is surrounded by oral lobes. Outwardly, they resemble a hanging curtain.
The tentacles at the edges of the dome are extremely long and resemble hair. They can reach 20-30 meters. Thanks to them, this sea creature has another name - hairy cyanide. In the largest specimens, the dome reaches 2 meters in diameter, but usually does not exceed 50-60 cm. The largest recorded specimen had a tentacle length of 36.5 meters, and the diameter of its dome was 2.3 meters. So we can say with confidence that the Arctic cyanide is the largest jellyfish in the world.
The representative of the order of disc jellyfish that we are considering is an active predator. Its diet consists of plankton, crustaceans and small fish. If there is little food, then this inhabitant of cold waters begins to attack other jellyfish and eat them.
Foraging for food is as follows: a sea giant hovers in the upper layer of water with tentacles directed in different directions. From the outside, the jellyfish resembles a large lump of algae floating harmlessly in the ocean. As soon as a passing victim touches the tentacle, it immediately wraps itself around its body and infects it with paralyzing poison. After the prey stops fluttering, it is eaten. Paralyzing poison is produced in the tentacles along their entire length.
But the ocean is the ocean, and therefore any predator can become prey for another, larger predator. Therefore, hairy cyanide is eaten by other jellyfish, sea turtles, birds and large fish. It should be said that even the largest specimens do not pose a danger to humans. The worst thing that can happen when you come into contact with a huge jellyfish is that a rash appears at the site of contact. But it immediately disappears after using antiallergic drugs. The rash usually appears in people with sensitive skin, while others do not notice anything at all.
The reproductive process of Arctic cyanides consists of 2 stages. At the first stage, males release sperm into the water. They end up in the females’ mouth lobes, where the brood chambers are located. There, fertilization of eggs and their development occurs.
At the second stage, the formed embryos (planula larvae) leave the brood chambers, attach to some substrate and transform into one polyp. Over the course of several months, it actively grows and reproduces asexually, giving birth to a scyphist. From them the larvae of future jellyfish - ethers - are formed. Externally, they look like transparent stars with 8 rays. These stars float in the water and gradually become jellyfish.
This is the complex process of reproduction that nature came up with. And as a result, the Arctic cyanea is born - the largest jellyfish in the world. It moves in the upper water column along with cold sea currents and is an integral part of the northern waters of the World Ocean.
The largest jellyfish in the entire world's oceans, the Arctic cyanea (lat. Cyanea capillata) gained wide popularity thanks to the story “The Lion's Mane” by Arthur Conan Doyle, which told about the painful death of one of the heroes caused by an encounter with the Arctic cyanea.
In fact, rumors about its mortal danger to humans are too exaggerated. Arctic cyanea not only cannot cause death, but is not even capable of causing any serious damage to human health. The worst consequences of contact with this jellyfish are an itchy rash and, in some cases, an allergic reaction. All this can be successfully treated with compresses with vinegar.
However, Arctic cyanides are very interesting sea creatures. Let's start with the fact that cyanea live in extremely harsh climatic conditions. They can be found in the waters of the Arctic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean during the coldest winter months. They rarely fall below forty-second degrees north latitude and are completely absent from the waters of the southern hemisphere.
Arctic cyanides can reach truly enormous sizes. These are not only the largest of all jellyfish, but also the largest animals in the world. The diameter of one of the jellyfish, found in 1870 off the coast of Massachusetts, exceeded two meters, and the length of the tentacles reached thirty-six meters. It is believed that the cyanea bell can grow up to two and a half meters in diameter, and the tentacles can grow up to forty-five meters in length. This is much larger than the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet.
The further north the Arctic cyanide lives, the larger it is. The most impressive sizes are those of jellyfish that live in the coldest areas of the Arctic Ocean. As they approach warmer waters, the size of Arctic cyanides decreases: the smallest jellyfish are found between forty and forty-second degrees north latitude.
Typically, the diameter of the Arctic cyanide bell does not exceed two and a half meters. The length of the tentacles of these Arctic jellyfish also changes depending on the temperature of their habitat, and the color depends on the size. The largest specimens impress with rich crimson-red tones, while smaller ones are characterized by shades of pink, orange or light brown.
The body of the Arctic cyanide is a bell with blades along the edges, shaped like a hemisphere. Long tentacles, collected in eight bundles, are attached to the inner part of the blades. Each such bundle grows from sixty to one hundred and thirty tentacles. In the center of the bell there is a mouth opening, surrounded by long oral lobes, with the help of which the arctic cyanea moves the caught prey towards the mouth, connected to the stomach.
Like most jellyfish, the arctic cyanide is a voracious predator, feeding on zooplankton, small fish and ctenophores. She does not deny herself the pleasure of feasting on her relatives, such as, for example, the long-eared aurelia. In turn, Arctic cyanides are desirable prey for seabirds, large fish, sea turtles and other jellyfish.