Venus_girdle

Venus girdle

Venus girdle

Species of comb jelly

For other uses, see Girdle of Venus.

The Venus girdle (Cestum veneris) is a comb jelly in the family Cestidae. It is the only member of its genus, Cestum,[1] and is also the largest of all known ctenophores.

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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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cestum veneris.
Wikispecies has information related to Cestum veneris.
  1. [1]
    "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cestum veneris Lesueur, 1813". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. [2]
    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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