Species of the Month

This month we have seen an incredible number of moon jellyfish in our waters. Not a lot is generally known about individual species of jellyfish. Here is a bit of information about this very common jellyfish.

The moon jellyfish is known worldwide as Aurelia aurita and can be found on all coasts around the UK. They are very easily identifed by their bell shape and four purple/pink gonad rings. They have short threadlike tentacles around the edge and although they do contain stinging cells to catch prey there is no need to fear them as they are not strong enough to sting humans.
Their life cycle is very complex and they can reproduce using two different methods.
They can inhabitat various environments from estuaries to sea lochs to coastal waters, where they form the large swarms that can be seen presently. The reason for these blooms is not entirely clear. Some suggestions have been the lack of higher predators found in these waters or possibly the warming sea temperature.