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Sunday, February 17, 2019

The Pink Meanie, New Jellyfish Species: Pair With a Nice Peanut Butter?

        With up to 100-foot-long tentacles and measuring three to five feet in diameter, the Pink Meanie jellyfish, classified as a new species in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011, is both striking in appearance and in stingyness (not stinginess!). 



       Officially named Drymonema larsoni, the rare giant pink invertebrate looms large and menacing in the Gulf Waters. It was the first new jellyfish family named since the 1920's.


      Up to 30 moon jellies have been found inside a single Pink Meanie. 
      


       
      “It’s rare that something like this could escape the notice of scientific research for so long. That it did is partially due to Drymonema’s extreme rarity almost everywhere in the world, except the northern Gulf of Mexico, where it bloomed in 2000. However, much of the project’s success can be tied to the use of molecular techniques, such as DNA sequencing, in addition to more traditional visual examination,” stated Dr. Keith Bayha from Dauphin Island Sea Lab.


     The kindergartners made great Pink Meanie models and enjoyed the moniker greatly:



        They were aghast that most jellyfish projects for kids give the jellyfish models eyes. Not on our Pink Meanies!



Are you surprised it took so long to discover these giant, pink jellies? Do you have a different nickname suggestion?

Steph