ctenophore

Iridescent ocean drifter

A ctenophore is a marine invertebrate commonly called a comb jelly—a gelatinous, often bioluminescent creature that propels itself through water using rows of cilia arranged like combs.

Though they resemble jellyfish, ctenophores form their own phylum and lack stinging cells.

They drift through oceans worldwide, from surface waters to the deep sea.

taxa

comb jelly

Ciliated gelatinous marine animal

lobateHaving rounded projections

gelatinous

translucent

Permitting diffused light passage

soft-bodiedLacking internal skeleton
jellylikeResembling a soft gel
squishySoft and easily compressed

elastic · flexible · quivering · wobbly · viscous · delicate · fragile · iridescent · diaphanous · gossamer

marine

invertebrate

Animal sans backbone

zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
marine biologyStudy of sea organisms

oceanography · aquatic · sea creature · pelagic · open ocean · deep sea · plankton · drifting · currents · oceanic

predatory

carnivore

Creature eating only animals

preyAnimal being hunted
voraciousExtremely eager to consume
engulfCompletely surround and cover

feed · capture · ambush

anatomy

nerve net

Dispersed sensory mesh

tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
pharynxMuscular throat cavity
epidermisOutermost tissue layer

muscle fibers · auricles · canal system

bioluminescence

glow

Steady, soft light

luminescentEmitting soft light
light scatteringDeflection by particles

Opposites

taxonomic distinction

ctenophorecnidarian

Stinging aquatic invertebrate

medusa · hydrozoan · sea anemone · coral · Portuguese man-of-war

ecological role

ctenophorecopepod

Minute planktonic crustacean

krill · coral

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G