Rhizostoma luteumis the name of a species of jellyfish so rare that scientiststhey even doubted its existencesince, since its discovery in 1827, it had been cited less than six times in the literature. However, so far this summer, the Jellyfish Alert Network of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) has registered more than 50 sightings of the elusive animal.
Until now, there were hardly any photographs or drawings ofRhizostoma luteum, and some researchers questioned its existence and thought that it could be a variety of some other species. However, this summer the jellyfish has made an appearance in the waters of the Mediterranean, especially in the waters of the Murcian coast, but also on the beaches of the coast of Almería, Granada and Malaga, and there is no longer any doubt of its existence.
Now scientists are busy studying the species in depth. “These jellyfishthey reach 40 kilos in weight and 60 cm in diameter, so it is really difficult to handle them without damaging them “, explains Ignacio Franco, the researcher responsible for the study. Despite its enormous size, the species seems harmless and its bite is expected to cause only mild skin irritation.” We already have we have been in contact with some and we did not receive bites of any kind, “says the scientist.
A very varied life
The biological cycle of this jellyfish is quite complicated, since it has both asexual reproduction phase, during which it fixes on the seabed in the form of a polyp, and sexual phase, in which the jellyfish swims freely. In addition, between the two it presents two different types of larvae. The species can be confused with its relative Rhizostoma pulmo , this however is smaller, with a purple border and no black tentacles.
The IEO asks for citizen collaboration to complete the study of the strange species and requests that the sightings be reported to the Oceanographic Center of Murcia.
