Sea Walnut [Mnemiopsis leidyi]
Description
Sea Walnut or Warty comb jelly is a species of lobed ctenophore. It is native to the western Atlantic coast but has become invasive in other areas, notably the Black and Caspian Seas. It is known for its ovoid body shape, small size (usually around 10 cm), and bioluminescent capabilities. This species is hermaphroditic and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. It feeds primarily on zooplankton.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
True Jellyfish
Scyphozoa
|
| Order |
True Jellyfish
Semaeostomeae
|
| Family |
Root-Mouth Jellies
Rhizostomatidae
|
| Genus |
Lobed Jellyfish
Lobonema
|