Atorella octogonos explained

Atorella octogonos is a species of crown jellyfish in the family Atorellidae.[1] It has been found in the Bahamas.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek words ("eight") and ("reproductive organ"), in reference to the eight gonads of the species.[2]

Description

The holotype of the species was described as having a bell 20mm in diameter and 14mm in height. The mesoglea is sub-spherical in shape. The outer bell has several nematocyst warts, each around 0.1mm in diameter. It has six rhopalia between its lappets, of which there are 12. The lappets are rounded and broad. It has six tentacles, each of which end in a head of nematocysts. The mouth is short and circular. The stomach has four groups of gastric cirri, each of which arise from a gelatinous stalk having 20-30 gastric filaments. It has eight spindle-shaped gonads, which are a cream-tan color; the species is otherwise transparent and colorless.

Notes and References

  1. Collins, A.G.; Morandini, A.C. (2023). World List of Scyphozoa. Atorella octogonos Mills, Larson & Youngbluth, 1987. Accessed through World Register of Marine Species on 2023-06-06.
  2. Mills, C. E.; Larson, R. J.; Youngbluth, M. J. (1987). A new species of coronate scyphomedusa from the Bahamas, Atorella octogonos. Bulletin of Marine Science. 40: 424-425. Accessed 2023-06-06.