This lovely red medusa, Atolla gigantea, about 15 centimeters in diameter, was collected in midwater by the remotely operated vehicle and photographed in the bigger kreisel. When a species like this is caught with a net, its soft gelatinous tissue is shredded by the net fabric or squashed by other captured animals, and the tentacles are torn off. This beautiful red color is common among mesopelagic “jellies” because it isn’t visible in the perpetually dark water, yet it masks any bioluminescence emitted by prey inside the pigmented predator’s gut. Image courtesy of 2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea.
Related Links
2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea
2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea: Oct 12 Log
