October 30, 2015

Wonderful Things, Hallween Edition: The Gigantic Underworld Medusa [Video]

Stygiomedusa gigantea is a titanic jellyfish seen only about 100 times in the last 100 years which lacks tentacles entirely but appears to be hauling four 33-foot long bolts of funeral bunting instead.

By Jennifer Frazer

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Monterey Bay Aquarium has released their semi-regular Halloween video, and this year it features Stygiomedusa gigantea, a titanic jellyfish seen only about 100 times in the last 100 years, which lacks tentacles entirely but appears to be hauling four 33-foot long bolts of funeral bunting instead. It also has a cute li’l buddy.

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Stygiomedusa is yet another example of the astounding diversity of life present right here on Earth, no rocket or rover required (although an ROV does comes in handy), largely unseen and unheralded by humans. Now please excuse me while I go off to construct my Stygiomedusa costume out of black duct tape, a box of Hefty bags, and plush symbiont. Happy Halloween, y’all.

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