Introduction
http://iamthemoonjelly.blogspot.com/2011/02/artificial-selection.html
Aurelia Aurita, more commonly known as the moon jelly, is a magnificently beautiful creature of the sea belonging to the Phylum Cnidaria. The moon jelly is a free-swimming, marine invertebrate who can be found in most of the world's oceans. The spherical shape of the bell bares a striking similarity to the spherical shape of the moon, which is how this jellyfish received its name. In the adult stage, moon jellies can range in size from 20 to 45 cm in diameter (Bamstedt 1989).
Species within this genus are so morphologically similar that it requires genetic testing to distinguish between them (Schroth et al. 2002). Although translucent, they can be visually recognized by their exquisite coloring, most notably shades of pink, blue, and sometimes orange. They lack many specialized systems, such as the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, osmoregulatory, and digestive systems. The moon jelly is carnivorous and takes great delight in feeding on zooplankton, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Ulmaridae
Genus: Aurelia
Species: Aureliaaurita
Species within this genus are so morphologically similar that it requires genetic testing to distinguish between them (Schroth et al. 2002). Although translucent, they can be visually recognized by their exquisite coloring, most notably shades of pink, blue, and sometimes orange. They lack many specialized systems, such as the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, osmoregulatory, and digestive systems. The moon jelly is carnivorous and takes great delight in feeding on zooplankton, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Ulmaridae
Genus: Aurelia
Species: Aureliaaurita
As we prepare to further immerse ourselves in the world of Aurelia Aurita, please take but a moment to watch the short film above, which remarkably captures all of the elegance and grandiose that is the moon jellyfish.