Immortal jellyfish

Turritopsis dohrnii

Size: 0.4–0.5 cm · 0.1–0.2 g
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: potentially indefinite

The immortal jellyfish is a tiny jellyfish famous for reverting from adult medusa to young polyp under stress. In the sea it is a transparent predator of minute animals.

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Key facts

Immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) is a carnivore animal classified as Invertebrate · Anthoathecata · Oceaniidae.
Primary habitats are open ocean · coast, with a range across Palearctic · Atlantic Ocean · Pacific Ocean.
Activity is cathemeral, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The immortal jellyfish is a tiny jellyfish famous for reverting from adult medusa to young polyp under stress.
It occurs in Palearctic, Atlantic, and Pacific waters from coasts to open sea.
Typical lifespan: potentially indefinite

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It occurs in Palearctic, Atlantic, and Pacific waters from coasts to open sea. Its life cycle includes drifting medusae and attached polyps on hard surfaces.

Appearance

Bell diameter 0.4-0.5 cm; weight 0.05-0.2 g. The clear bell shows a small red stomach, with fine tentacles around the edge. Its minute size makes it easy to miss.

Behavior

Cathemeral and solitary, it drifts with water movement. Under injury or starvation it can reorganize tissues and return to a polyp-like stage.

Feeding

A carnivore, it catches tiny zooplankton and small crustaceans with stinging cells. Tentacles move subdued prey to the mouth.

Reproduction

Sexual reproduction produces larvae that settle as polyps. Polyps bud off medusae, and stressed adults may reverse back into the polyp stage.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern. Its name is memorable, but individuals can still die from predation, disease, or unsuitable conditions.