What is the Mystery of the Placental Jellyfish?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification and characteristics of a marine organism referred to as the "placental jellyfish." Participants explore its appearance, movement, and classification, debating whether it is a jellyfish or another type of sea creature, such as a giant salp. The conversation includes observations from a video showcasing the organism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the organism's classification, initially suggesting it might be a jellyfish or an octopus based on its movement.
  • One participant identifies it as a giant salp, noting their strangeness.
  • Another participant corrects this by stating it has been identified as a jellyfish, specifically Deepstaria enigmatica, and provides a link for further reading.
  • Participants comment on the organism's appearance, with one noting it resembles a floating plastic bag and another highlighting the distinctive radial canal system visible in the video.
  • There is a request for the video link due to accessibility issues with certain browser add-ons.
  • One participant mentions the depth at which the organism was found, providing context about hydrostatic pressure at that depth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of the organism, with multiple competing views regarding whether it is a jellyfish or a giant salp. The discussion remains unresolved as participants present differing observations and interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the organism's identity depend on visual observations and interpretations of its movement and structure, which may vary among participants. The discussion includes references to external sources for identification, but these are not universally accepted by all participants.

zoobyshoe
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You may have heard it said that the largest organ in the human body is the skin. This weird creature seems to consist exclusively of that organ. Skip forward to about 1:30 for the best view of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-8_wDgN7c
 
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That's one strange sea creature. What is it? It's got to be more than just a bunch of skin, doesn't it?
 
5939218821_707baa6a6e.jpg
 
ThomasT said:
That's one strange sea creature. What is it? It's got to be more than just a bunch of skin, doesn't it?
I have no idea what it is. It seemed like a jellyfish at first, but then, the way it moves reminded me more of an octopus.
 
zoobyshoe said:
I have no idea what it is. It seemed like a jellyfish at first, but then, the way it moves reminded me more of an octopus.

A giant salp.
 
apeiron said:
A giant salp.
First time I've ever heard of them. They are very strange.
 
Can someone please post the link to the youtube video? I'm using RequestPolicy addon for firefox and... well... I can't see the video.
 
i thought about being a jellyfish but it just didn't look like any jellyfish I've seen before
mmf said:
Can someone please post the link to the youtube video? I'm using RequestPolicy addon for firefox and... well... I can't see the video.
http://youtu.be/-E-8_wDgN7c
 
  • #10
The depth says 5044 ' = 1537 m. At this depth, the hydrostatic pressure is about 150 atmospheres.
 
  • #11
So... it's a really flat jellyfish?
 
  • #12
It actually looks like a floating old plastic bag.
 
  • #13
apeiron said:
Correction: looks like it has been identified as a jellyfish - Deepstaria enigmatica.

http://deepseanews.com/2012/05/solving-the-mystery-of-the-placental-jellyfish/

Yes, this is what I noticed in the video:

The radial canal system is most striking. It consists of a meshwork, likened by Dr. Barham to wire-netting.

Kind of an irregular chicken wire pattern visible in the "skin".
 

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