A ctenophore from the midwater section of Dive 09 of the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition. The iridescent greens and blues along the outer edge are caused by light from the remotely operated vehicle lights refracting off of the hundreds of combs, or ctenes, that the ctenophore uses to swim in the water column. These ctenes are made up of many fused flagella. Ctenophores are the largest animals to use flagella as their primary means of movement.
Ctenophore
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Windows to the Deep 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 742 KB).
A ctenophore from the midwater section of Dive 09 of the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition. The iridescent greens and blues along the outer edge are caused by light from the remotely operated vehicle lights refracting off of the hundreds of combs, or ctenes, that the ctenophore uses to swim in the water column. These ctenes are made up of many fused flagella. Ctenophores are the largest animals to use flagella as their primary means of movement.
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