User:Barnetk/Olindias phosphorica

Olindias phosphorica
Olindias phosphorica or also known as the “Cigar Jellyfish” is a cnidarian species (class Hydrozoa) found in the central Atlantic originating around the Mediterranean sea. It is known for its bioluminescence ability and its transparent, bell shaped body. Not much is known about this species due to the lack of scientific evidence. Other names include:

Oceania phosphorica delle Chiaje, 1841

Olindias phosphorica (Delle Chiaje, 1841)

Olindias muelleri Graeffe, 1884

Anatomy and Morphology
The anatomy of the species Olindias phosphorica:

The Olindias phosphorica has a small hydromedusa that can reach up to six centimeters in diameter. O. phosphorica possesses tentacles at the base of the medusa. There are two types that can be observed, Primary tentacles and secondary tentacles. The primary tentacles are placed at each radial canal. Primary tentacles are characterized as short, smooth, with a whitish appearance. They are thickened at the tip  into an adhesive knob. The secondary tentacles are in small depressions located at the edge of the medusa. They are extremely long, transparent, and lined with cnidocytes (Stinging cells). O. phosphorica also possesses 4 main radial canals, a narrow mouth. They possess many centripetal and blind secondary radial canals.

Reproduction

Most Cnidarians can reproduce both sexually and asexually. O. phosphorica can go through the two phases:

O. phosphorica is gonochoric, this means that there is male and female organisms. They typically broadcast spawn in open water. This is where the relation of both eggs and sperm into the water column where gamete contact and fertilize externally. The planula larva produce from this broadcast spawn leafs a short pelagic life during which it swims (they swim due to ciliary covering) amongst the phytoplankton and eventually falls to the substrate where it attaches and grows into a polyp. (If conditions allow). This polyp buds other polyps (the asexual phase) to produce a benthic colonial stage. Upon reaching maturity the polyp buds a pelagic Medusa that repeats the cycle.

The life cycle of a jellyfish. The life cycle of a jellyfish.

Refere to figure 2.

Distribution and Habitat
The Mediterranean sea is one of the most highly valued seas. It delivers valuable benefits to the coastal inhabitants and coastal plains (which includes the pelagic system). It is enclosed by three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Mediterranean sea is also linked to energy transportation, nutrient flow, and interactions for the physical environment as a functioning unit.

O. phosphorica are a species that is typically found originating from the central Atlantic ocean, and from the Mediterranean sea. They are typically found in the subtropical pelagic zone. They are typically observed at shallow depth near the coast or in open water. Due to the transpart medusa it is easier to view at night. The O. phosphorica is more abundant in the summer and autumn time, they are prevalent in warm waters.

Feeding
O. phosphorica is planktivorous, this diet is carnivorous. The jellyfish extends its tentacles, both primary and secondary, the tentacles are covered in cnidocytes, these stinging cells extend almost like harpoons and paralyze the plankton and then direct it towards the mouth where it is digested. Not much has been studied on O. phosphorica digestion track however it is assumed based on their class that they have a simple gastrovascular system. This system is lined with flagellated cells that circulate the plankton with the filtering of water

O. phosphorica secondary tentacles are equipped with stinging cells known as cnidocytes. The main purpose of cnidocytes is to capture prey and as a defense system. The stinging cells are triggered when an outside force provokes it; the cells open up allowing water to rush in. This causes the stinger to shoot out to what provoked it; this is where the venom is released into the victim. O. phosphorica venom is a mild venom and not considered harmful to humans. There are no reported deaths that are visible to the public search with cigar jellyfish. However just like most stings, if it goes untreated there could be infections that can cause health complications.

Taxonomy
Kingdom                           Animalia

 Subkingdom                  Radiata

    Phylum                         Cnidaria

      Subphylum               Medusozoa

         Class                        Hydrozoa

            Subclass              Trachylina

               Order                 Limnomedusae

                  Family            Olindiidae

                     Genus          Olindias

                        Species     Olindias phosphorica

Olindias phosphorica are amongst the phylum Cnidaria and class of Hydrozoa. The Hydrozoa class is known to contain approximately 3,700 species. It is a very large and diverse class in the Cnidaria phylum. The genus family was named after its genus Olindias Muller in 1861.

Fun Facts about Olindias phosphorica taxa

 * Olindias phosphorica.jpg
 * Jellyfish are able to use the adhesive structures located at the end of the primary tentacles to hold on to the posidonia leaves and resist the current!
 * Bioluminescence in Olindias phosphorica:
 * Even though there is no direct study done it is hypothesized that Olindias Phosphorica produce bioluminescence on their exumbrella and tentacles with a photoprotein that produces green-blue bioluminescence.   This is a unique feature that not all jellyfish have; three classes out of the phylum Cnidaria have bioluminescence, Hydrozoa (which Olindias phosphorica is apart of), Scyohozoa, and Anthozoa.  Bioluminescence is used for a number of uses in marine organisms but the most common uses in the phylum Cnidaria is used as a defense against predators to startle or distract or they use it to lure prey.
 * Even though that hydrozoa have many different types of cells they can only form two types of tissue for there gelatinous bodies, epidermis and gastrodermis.
 * Most Cnidarian groups have both cnidocytes and nematocysts however Hydrozoa is the only class in which the lining of the central cavity lacks the stinging nematocysts. They only have them on the lining of their tentacles!