Today I learnt about a really unique creature, scientifically known as Pelagothuria natatrix, that looks like a weird jellyfish.
In reality though, it's a totally different type of animal. And a one of a kind in it's group!
Let's first start with a picture:
Pelagothuria natatrix (Public Domain, via NOAA Okeanos Explorer
So, if not a jellyfish... What then?
You would probably never guess!
It's actually a sea cucumber, and the only true pelagic sea cucumber. Actually, the only known true pelagic echinoderm as well!
Pelagothuria is the only known genus of holothurian that is considered to be holopelagic.source
Pelagothuria natatrix (Public Domain, via NOAA Okeanos Explorer
The species was first described in 1893 from trawled specimens collected in 1891 by the USS Albatross, but it took almost 100 years in 1989 to be first sighted in its natural habitat, thanks to a scientific mission in the Galapagos.
Since then it has been sighted numerous times by the NOAAS Okeanos Explorer vessel.
As aforementioned, out of the thousand sea cucumber species this is the only one we know capable of swimming. Although much like many jellyfish, this seems to be more like controlled drifting.
Their body is translucent and has a pale purple pigmentation with an umbrella-like swimming structure supported by a ring of around 12 highly modified oral tentacles.
The species has a wide geographic range, the extents of which are unknown, with specimens collected or reported in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Depth also varies greatly from 200 up to at least 4,433 m!
Pelagothuria natatrix (Public Domain, via NOAA Okeanos Explorer
Anyways, I think I will stop paraphrasing Wikipedia at this point 馃槀 Feel free to click here if you want to read more about this truly unique creature! To be fair, there is not much to learn about em as their frail gelatinous nature combine with their deep sea habitat makes em hard to study.
There's also this open scientific article with all the boring semantics there is to know about the species.
Ok, let's now enjoy one of them in action:
In other news... Since we are talking about sea cucumbers and stuff... Have you ever seen one taking a poop?
No?
Well you are in for a treat 馃槀
Good ol Natgeo. Never fails to disappoint _
Ok, I think this is enough shitpostery for today. 馃樃
See you soon with more bizarre wonders of mother nature! In the meantime, feel free to check any of the links below if you are bored!
More Strange Animal Stuff
If you enjoyed this post here are some more amazing creatures I have recently blogged about:
