Neon Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hi, I've just got back from doing the Abel Tasman tramp.... it was very cool. We found these weird jelly things on the beach and I was wondering if anyone knows what they are. I saw similar things on the beach and in the water at Christmas time. This one is a bit different as you could see the creature inside. Here's a closeup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 I have no idea what they are but they look pretty damn cool, something from Alien?! :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 wow. that's pretty neat! it is either the alien or the predator :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Jellyfish. Very common. If they were multi coloured they would be jellybeans :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 That's the creepiest looking jellyfish i've ever seen. Didn't even think that's what it could be. I want one! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Jellyfish?? I've never seen one like that before. Sure it's not some sort of crustacean inside an egg? Very cool photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Yeah, jellyfish. Heaps of them floating around out at sea when I go out fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Going back to my marine biology/zoology days in uni here, but I dare say that is not entirely a jellyfish. Jellyfish are cnidarians, there are two forms, the characteristic medusa with tentacles and the imobile polyps - in other words they don't have eyes like that creature does. Looks to me like a crustacean inside a jellyfish house, perhaps a jelly hermit crab (if such things exist)? Who knows though, NZ has some amazing creatures, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Man, this thing sounds interesting, can't wait to get home so I can actually see the photo (work now blocks media sharing sites such as photobucket) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Unreal, thanks for sharing. I wouldnt have the foggiest clue on what it is though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 possibly, but just a guess a salp or oozoid with a crustacean inside it did they all have something inside them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 bispider and jennifer are right, its not just a jellyfish. It looks like a comb jelly that was harbouring some sort of crustacean larva (typically they molt at least 3 times). You can see the antenae and leg segments as well as compound eyes (aka image forming)...unlike the eyes that some jellyfish have which are simple (can only see light and dark). I would guess it is a very young crab which crawled into the jelly, probably after it had already died and settled on the bottom. Jelly fish can go quite rigid after they die, as opposed to something like a salp that just turns into snot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 yes aquilam i forgot salps do turn to mush :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillnzcookie Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 "This is a small crustacean from the Phronima family. Its looks supposedly inspired movie makers when they created alien species. This phronima lives inside a salpe which is a separate species group and looks like a transparent little barrel. The phronima lives inside the salpe, eats its content until only the outer shell is left and spawns in it." (Institute of Marine Research, Norway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Takk for at informasjon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Yah, thanks for the info. I *knew* jellyfish didn't have eyes and limbs like that! Fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elusive_fish Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Wow, what a cool looking find! I google image searched "Phronima" and found some really cool pictures, if anyone is interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrislohtt/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Cool You learn something new everyday! Thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 "This is a small crustacean from the Phronima family. Its looks supposedly inspired movie makers when they created alien species. This phronima lives inside a salpe which is a separate species group and looks like a transparent little barrel. The phronima lives inside the salpe, eats its content until only the outer shell is left and spawns in it." (Institute of Marine Research, Norway) Thanks nzcookie :-) That's good to know what it is. I googled it but couldn't find the answer - hard to know when you don't know what you're looking for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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