Ctenophores or Comb Jellyfish

Ctenophores, commonly known as Comb Jellies or Comb Jellyfish, are fascinating members of the oceanic gelatinous plankton. Most are almost transparent, and they propel themselves through the water using rows of beating "ctene" plates, each of which contains a row of cilia. As the ctene plates beat, they polarise the light so the animal gives off flashes of colour. Some species can also emit light.
Ctenophores are predatory, feeding on a wide range of small pelagic animals, including larval crustaceans and fish, and are important predators in the oceanic plankton.
These animals were filmed off the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, Australia - one of the few areas in the world where a wide range of oceanic gelatinous plankton, including jellyfish, pyrosomes and salps, comes close to shore, and is easily seen while diving. Filmed by Michael Baron.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Comb Jellies
• Ctenophores
• gelatinous plankton
• underwater
• diving
• jellyfish
• Tasmania
• Eaglehawk Neck
• Australia