Multimedia Gallery
Jellyfish Tentacle
Jellyfish Tentacle
A section of tentacle from a lions mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) with undischarged nematocysts--venomous, dischargeable cells--visible. Nematocysts help jellyfish defend themselves from predators, as well as disable and catch prey.
To learn more about the basics of jellyfish biology, what scientists have learned thus far about the worldwide increase in jellyfish populations, and the causes of jellyfish swarms and how they affect both human and marine life, see the NSF Special Report, "Jellyfish Gone Wild!" (Date of Image: unknown)
Credit: J.H. Costello, Providence College, and S.P. Colin, Roger Williams University
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