An integral part of almost any large body of salt water is the jellyfish, which are considered one of the oldest living organisms on the planet. As scientists were able to establish, they have existed for more than 650 million years, and the process of evolution did not affect their lifestyle or appearance in any way. The body of jellyfish, 98% water, is similar in shape to an umbrella (or bell). Due to this structure, the jellyfish is able, due to the contraction of muscles, which are flooded connective tissue, to easily move in the water column.
A jellyfish (jellyfish generation) is the life cycle phase of stinging cells of multicellular animals, called stinging (cnidaria), which are structured into three classes: hydromedusa, scyphomedusa and cubomedusa. There are several thousand species and subspecies of these marine organisms in nature, but the Black Sea jellyfish are represented by only three species of creatures.
Are Black Sea jellyfish dangerous?
So, what kind of jellyfish can be found in the Black Sea, the photos of which against the backdrop of the sea surf so vacationers love to do in memory of the wonderful days spent once under the gentle southern sun?
- Cornerot (lat.Rhizostoma pulmo). This predator feeds on worms, small fish and crustaceans, which it paralyzes with its poison, and then successfully eats. Cornerot has a rather large cap, which can reach half a meter in diameter, and large fleshy outgrowths, which are the lobes of the oral cavity. As a rule, the largest number of these jellyfish appears off the coast in the second half of summer. Cornerota, very sensitive to weather changes, leave the coast before the storm and fall to the bottom. Of all the representatives wandering, these are the most poisonous jellyfish of the Black Sea, which can sting - not deadly, but very noticeable. A meeting with this marine inhabitant may result in the appearance of blisters on the skin, as in a thermal burn.
- Aurelia (lat.Aurelia aurita), also called eared aurelia. She has a translucent pinkish-purple body. The dome of the aurelia can reach 40 cm in diameter, in the center of it are organs producing sex cells (gonads), in the form of four purple rings. The basis of their diet is small zooplankton. For humans, these Black Sea jellyfish are absolutely safe, because their stinging cells are not able to penetrate the skin. The maximum that they can cause is redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes or mouth.
- Mnemiopsis (lat.Mnemiopsis leidyi). Representatives of this species have neither tentacles nor stings. Although they eat caviar of small fish, for a person these jellyfish of the Black Sea are absolutely harmless.
In conclusion
Unlike some creeping species, for example, hairy cyanoea, which shoots its victim with strong poison that can kill small animals and cause significant damage to larger ones (including humans), the Black Sea jellyfish are absolutely peaceful, harmless creatures. Nevertheless, during rest, you should be careful not to spoil your mood. This is especially true for vacationers with children, who are so attracted to these unusual representatives of the water world.
