Looking at this photo, the common name chosen for the fried egg jellyfish will seem very obvious: the appearance of its umbrella is reminiscent of that of this food if observed from above. But despite its appealing name, the massive appearance of this animal on our coastsas well as that of almost any other jellyfish, usually causes concern and fear.
In this sense, the latest report from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Service of the Region of Murcia, published recently, has highlighted the birth of thousands of specimens of this species in the Mar Menoran event that has been detected from the appearance of ephyras and metaephyras in the area.
These are newborn specimens or just a few days old, which are, therefore, in one of the earliest stages of development in the life of these jellyfish. This indicates that during this time the highest peak in births is occurring and that this It’s being unusually longjust like last year. Strobilation, the asexual reproduction process of these jellyfish, is lasting more than 4 weeks.
Although their size is still only between 2 and 4 centimeters, they have the potential to become a rich bank that will influence our coastal activity. However, the levels of zooplankton recently detected in the area are lower than usual, which could prevent the growth of these jellyfish at a normal rate or even cause the death of a large part of these specimens.
The population density of jellyfish of different species is a concern, especially in the Mar Menor area. But the poison of the fried egg jellyfish, although annoying, It does not pose a serious danger to our healthwhich can result, above all, in some allergic reactions.
It is a pelagic species that during the warmer months usually arrives en masse to the coast.
For the moment, the specimens corresponding to the oldest strobilations detected within this new season They have grown to 8 and 10 centimeters. The control of its evolution will be carried out periodically and continuously, in order to evaluate its development through sampling.
AN ENDEMIC SPECIES
Its scientific name is Cotylorhiza tuberculata and It is a peculiar jellyfish. On the one hand, unlike most species of jellyfish, this It does not allow itself to be carried away by ocean currents but is a skilled swimmer.: Its muscles allow it to move horizontally and vertically, making sharp turns to change its direction.
On the other hand, it is one of the representatives of the phylum of the largest cnidarians in the Mediterranean, which can measure up to 25 centimeters long and 40 centimeters in diameter, according to the largest specimens ever recorded.
The shape of its umbrella is reminiscent of a fried egg due to its soft, rounded and orange structure. In its lower part is the mouth, from which arises a ring of 8 tentacles in purple tones that it uses to poison and immobilize its prey when it feeds on small species of fish.
Detail of the umbrella of the fried egg jellyfish.
On other occasions, this jellyfish also obtains energy from sunlight through a process of photosynthesis that occurs in symbiosis with the microalgae that are housed in its body. This is the reason that pushes it to preferably inhabit the upper layers of the seawhere it will receive the greatest amount of light, although sometimes its presence has also been detected in deep waters.
It is an endemic species of the Mediterranean, and dDuring the warmer months it approaches the coast in the form of large banks, which can constitute a plague. However, with the arrival of winter it will move towards the high seas again.
