hydromedusa sp, jellyfish (2)

photo via: lifesci.ucsb.edu

hydromedusa sp, jellyfish (1)

photo via: lifesci.ucsb.edu

Habitat: Deep sea
Status: Unknown

I’m sad to report that I have little to no information on this spectacular denizen of the deep. It’s an undescribed species of hydromedusa jellyfish in the genus Tetrochis that possesses some bioluminescent capabilities.

From the UCSB website: “pink pigmentation [is] due to absorbance, and [the] rainbow iridescence [is] due to the thin-film effect of its tissue acting on white incident light.”

The Hydromedusae, is a subclass within the Class Hydrozoa, that contains mostly small, inconspicuous species of medusae jellyfish. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that this stunning species of jelly is very, very tiny.

I apologize for the lack of info on this one, but it was just too beautiful not to post! Anyone with more to say on this fantastic creature, please leave a comment!