Photograph by Justin Marshall

(PHYLUM: Cnidaria, CLASS: Scyphozoa, ORDER: Coronatae, FAMILY: Periphyllidae)

The coronate scyphomedusae include some of the most stunning of all the jellies. This elegant species is perhaps the most abundant and widely distributed scyphomedusan to inhabit deep water environments. It is present in all oceans, at depths typically below 900 metres, however it does perform vertical migrations throughout the water column, feeding upon zooplankton such as copepods and small crustaceans.

In a Norwegian Fjord large numbers of this species have been seen at the surface in certain summer months - a phenomenon that is poorly understood, but that is being researched by the deep sea and bioluminescent specialist, Professor Peter Herring (SOC).

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