Venus girdle
The Venus girdle (Cestum veneris) is a comb jelly in the family Cestidae. It is the only member of its genus, Cestum.[1]
| Venus girdle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Ctenophora |
| Class: | Tentaculata |
| Order: | Cestida |
| Family: | Cestidae |
| Genus: | Cestum Lesueur, 1813 |
| Species: | C. veneris |
| Binomial name | |
| Cestum veneris Lesueur, 1813 | |
Description
Venus girdles resemble transparent ribbons with iridescent edges. They may grow up to a metre in total length. Canals run the length of the ribbon in which bioluminesce activates when disturbed.[2]
Distribution
This species is pelagic and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide in midwater.[2]
Ecology
These animals swim horizontally using muscular contractions as well as the beating of the comb rows. The oral edge leads. They eat small crustaceans.[2]
References
- http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=106363 accessed 10 September 2013
- Wrobel D. & Mills C. 2003. Has no bell, no tentacles,found in the Mediterranean Sea. Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates: a guide to the common gelatinous animals. Sea Challengers. ISBN 0-930118-23-5
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