TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Pelagiidae

Genus: Sanderia sp.

LOCOMOTION: Movement occurs when muscular contraction of the dome forces water out of the medusa. Refilling of the medusa occurs with muscular contraction.

Water currents control direction of the jelly thus they are considered plankton.

31575650231_48de03b9a4_o

REPRODUCTION: Alternation of life cycles—polyp, medusa
The drifting jellies shown here represents just one phase of a sea nettle’s life. As adults pulsing through the water, these jellies reproduce sexually. But in another stage of life, on the seafloor, they reproduce without sex.
When spawning, adults release clouds of sperm and tens of thousands of eggs a day. Their larvae sink and become polyps (like mini anemones) carpeting the seafloor. As they grow, each polyp buds off scores of tiny jellies and will become sexual adults.

References

Cailifornia Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Animal Attractions 2017

The Marine Biology Coloring Book Thomas Niesen 2000

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Ka

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/31575650231/in/album-72157629304397467/