Aglantha digitale

Aglantha digitale is a small but tall thimble-shaped jelly that is not commonly found in the Salish Sea, but is very common in polar regions..  It has numerous tentacles and rather obvious long, thin gonads that hang down from the cavity (in mature individuals).  The photos I’ve included are rather poor –taken while hanging awkwardly off a dock in bright sunlight.  The iridescence is a result of the refraction of light hitting the surface and reflecting off the surface of the animal.  The refraction of light was so bright I was sure, at first, that they were some kind of comb jelly, particularly since they seemed to take off in a manner not different from a Pleurobrachia bachei (gooseberry comb jelly).    They do have a naturally pinkish tinge, but otherwise I’m not sure what colours they are capable of producing on their own, or how.  Apparently, they also have a way of propelling themselves forward rather radically that differs from most pulsating jellies. For better photos and more information see this wonderful observation on inaturalist.

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