Jellyfish general knowledge
Are jellyfish invertebrates or vertebrates?
Invertebrates
Why does Cassiopea lie upside down all day? (it is not because they're lazy)
To push water upwards to help facilitate feeding
Where does fertilization occur?
Inside the female's body
What body part rests on the sea bottom?
Bell
In which U.S. state is Cassiopea expanding northward?
Florida
How long can the largest jellyfish grow?
2 meters
What colors can Cassiopea's appendages be?
Blue, brown, pink, yellow, purple, green
What stage do larvae turn into after settling on a surface?
Polyps
Which body parts are branched structures that hold multiple mouths for feeding and stinging cells?
Oral arms
What type of climate/regions does Cassiopea live in?
Shallow waters (mangroves, lagoons, reefs) in warm climate regions such as Hawaii, Florida, Bermuda, and Australia
What kind of symmetry do jellyfish exhibit?
Radial
What are the temperature ranges Cassiopea can tolerate?
8˚C to 39˚C
What special trick can polyps do to make clones of themselves?
Budding
What are stinging cells called?
Nematocysts
How does Cassiopea help feed nearby corals and seagrass?
By stirring up nutrients from the sand
What is the main stage of a jellyfish's life cycle?
Medusa
What is the relationship between Cassiopea and Symbiodinium called?
Symbiosis
What is the baby jellyfish called before it becomes a medusa?
Ephyra
What is the purpose of rhopalia?
Sensory organs for light detection and spatial awareness
Why do scientists study Cassiopea's relationship with algae?
To better understand coral-algae symbiosis
What class do true jellyfish belong to?
Scyphozoa
What behavior does Cassiopea exhibit at night despite lacking a brain?
Sleep-like behavior
What stage requires polyps to make friends with algae?
Strobilation
What are "cassiosomes"?
Mucus bombs that are packed with stinging cells
How can Cassiopea warn scientists about pollution or reef stress?
By analyzing metal absorption and monitoring behavior changes