Mauve Stinger (Pelagia noctiluca)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pelagia ("of the sea") noctiluca ("moon light")

Adult Mauve Stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) near Capo Murro di Porco, Sicily - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Diameter: 10cm
IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A locally abundant jellyfish that in some years can form massive swarms. It is found in the Mediterranean, the Eastern Atlantic and up into the North Sea. It is a mildly poisonous species that causes painful irritations.  It can be an invasive species and damage fishing stocks.

Related Species:
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Pelagiidae
Genus: Pelagia
Subspecies: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Medusa Luminosa ("Bright Jellyfish") 

A common visitor

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Capo Murro di Porco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

OTHER NAMES: Common Jellyfish, Moon Jelly, Saucer Jelly
Latin Etymology: Aurelia ("golden one") aurita ("golden") 

Adult Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) at Monterey, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Circumference: 25-40cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A common species found in many areas of the Northern Hemisphere in both Atlantic and Pacific. They have a very simplified bodyplan, lacking respiratory, exretory or circulatory systems and is largely incapable of propelling itself. Instead, it primarily drifts with the currents. It collects prey with it's tentacles and moves them to it's body to be digested.

Related Species:
Order: Semaeotomeae
Family: Ulmaridae
Genus: Aurelia
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found around many coastl locations
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Monterey

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Purple-striped Jellyfish (Chrysaora colorata)

OTHER NAMES: Purple-striped Sea Nettle, Purple-striped Jelly
Latin Etymology: Chrysaora (mythical Greek figure) colorata ("coloured")

Adult Purple-striped Jellyfish (Chrysaora colorata) at Elkhorn Slough, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Circumference: 70cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

A large, distinctive looking jellyfish largely endemic to the coastal waters of California, this species possesses a painful sting, although not lethal to humans. A favourite of Leatherback turtles, they only turn up at certain times of the year.

Related Species:
Order: Semaeotomeae
Family: Pelagiidae
Genus: Chrysaora
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found on the coast of California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Monterey

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

.

Blue Jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii)

OTHER NAMES: Bluefire Jellyfish

Latin Etymology: Cyanea ("blue in colour") lamarckii (named for Jean-Baptiste Lamarck)

Adult Blue Jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2014

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Diamter: 30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

One of the most common Jellyfish seen in British Coastal Waters, the blue jellyfish possesses a mild sting and therefore should not be handled.  The taxonomy is unresolved as it stands as populations in the Pacific may represent separate species.  As with many jellyfish, they can appear en-mass in certain years, and large numbers get beached.

Related Species:
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Cyaneidae
Genus: Cyanea
Subspecies: unknown

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident of the coast

 - Seen on the shores around Trevose Head 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .