scyphozoa
Bell-shaped ocean drifters
Scyphozoa is the taxonomic class comprising true jellyfish—the large, free-swimming medusae most people picture when they hear "jellyfish." These creatures have bell-shaped bodies and trailing tentacles, often with stinging cells.
The term comes from Greek words meaning "cup animal," describing their shape.
The moon jelly belongs to Scyphozoa. (Capitalized Scyphozoa is standard in scientific usage.)
Drifting marine stinger
- cnidariaStinging aquatic animal phylum
- medusaFree-swimming cnidarian form
- AureliaFeminine name meaning golden
- moon jellyTranslucent pulsing sea invertebrate
sea nettle · lion's mane · polyp · invertebrate · phylum · class · zoology
Drifting marine microlife
- bloomFlower or flourishing state
- swarmMass of moving insects
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- marineRelating to the sea
pelagic · predator · prey · sea turtle · sunfish · leatherback · current · drift
Fleshy membrane projection
- medusaFree-swimming cnidarian form
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
asexual · sexual reproduction · segmentation · spawning · fertilization · settlement · benthic · pelagic
Hollow resonating instrument
- tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
- gonadsGamete-producing glands
- ocelliSimple photoreceptor organs
- nematocystsStinging organelles of cnidarians
Injected animal poison
- tentacleFlexible grasping appendage
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- envenomationInjection of animal poison
- box jellyfishCube-shaped venomous sea creature
vinegar · swimmer · first aid · allergic reaction · dermatitis · pain · welts · neurotoxin
jellyfish
Drifting marine stinger
- cnidariaStinging aquatic animal phylum
- medusaFree-swimming cnidarian form
- AureliaFeminine name meaning golden
moon jelly · sea nettle · lion's mane · polyp · invertebrate · phylum · class · zoology
plankton
Drifting marine microlife
marine · pelagic · predator · prey · sea turtle · sunfish · leatherback · current · drift · ecosystem
polyp
Fleshy membrane projection
- medusaFree-swimming cnidarian form
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
budding · asexual · sexual reproduction · segmentation · spawning · fertilization · settlement · benthic · pelagic · maturation
bell
Hollow resonating instrument
nematocysts · radial symmetry · manubrium · epidermis · nerve net
venom
Injected animal poison
- tentacleFlexible grasping appendage
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- envenomationInjection of animal poison
box jellyfish · vinegar · swimmer · first aid · allergic reaction · dermatitis · pain · welts · neurotoxin · cardiotoxin
- cnidarianssea anemone, corals, stony coral, moon jelly, jellyfish