#bolinopsis

Bolinopsis infundibilum wide open

by Alexander Semenov

Common Northern Comb Jelly - Bolinopsis infundibulum

Bolinopsis infundibulum (Lobata - Bolinopsidae) is a species of ctenophore (comb jelly) almost totally transparent. Although attaining lengths of up to 15 cm, it can still easily evade detection by the eyes of predators seeking a gelatinous meal. The only pigmentation on the body is in the form of rows of dark spots on the lobes. 

This ctenophore can produce two phenomena of light and color. One is the iridescence, an optical phenomenon produced by the manner in which light rays incident on a surface. But the most striking phenomenon is the bioluminescence, a luminous phenomenon produced by the body itself, which is used to attract prey or camouflage.

This species is a voracious, opportunistic predator on small copepods and cladocerans. It occurs in the Arctic and the northern waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

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