| Euplokamis dunlapae
Mills, 1987 Phylum Ctenophora / Order Cydippida / Family Euplokamidae |
This tiny comb jelly is rarely encountered in surface waters of
central California. As is typical of cydippid ctenophores, a pair of tentacles exit
the body at the aboral side (opposite the mouth). It can be distinguished from other
comb jellies in the area by the side branches (10 to 60 in number), which are normally
held tightly coiled to form distinct lumps along the length. The body, with a
maximum length of up to 2 cm, is also more football shaped than the spherical Pleurobrachia.
It is transparent, with red pigment on the comb rows, tentacle bases and side
branches. Comb rows are all equal in length and do not extend along the entire body
(2/3 to 3/4 of body length). Copepods, the preferred prey, are ensnared with
the tentacle side branches. When disturbed, Euplokamis can release blobs of
bioluminescent material. It's an abundant comb jelly of midwater habitats off the
San Juan Islands (Washington) and British Columbia, and ranges at least as far south as
central California.
All photographs © David Wrobel and may not be used or copied without permission!