Spotted sea jelly

Scientific name
Phyllorhiza punctata
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Scyphozoa
Sting-o-meter
1/5
Diameter
35cm

Phyllorhiza punctata is native to estuarine and coastal waters of the western-Pacific but has also become established as an introduced species in Western Australia and around the Americas and in the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful species usually grows to 35cm in bell diameter, but has been recorded at sizes over 50cm.

Similar to the Upside-down sea jelly, Phyllorhiza punctata can be considered a solar-powered jelly! It harbours microalgae (tiny plants) called zooxanthellae in its body to convert the sun’s energy to food, but also has tentacles to catch prey.  Strangely, some invasive populations in America seem to lack zooxanthellae!

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