![]() ![]() Lindsay mused that all the zooids on our fiery siphonophore were colored rather than just the stomach section. ![]() Collection of the fiery siphonophore with ROV SuBastian ROV SuBastian/SOIĭr. Not only can we now observe these animals as they interact with the environment, but we can also collect pristine samples that will enable us to study their morphology better. Vessels like R/V Falkor equipped with ROVs like SuBastian are essential tools because they allow us to understand these animals better. Siphonophores are gelatinous and fragile, so they are frequently damaged using standard sampling methods (mainly nets), disintegrating into nothing. Studying this aspect of siphonophore morphology may provide insight into the development of specialized systems in organisms and eventually lead to breakthroughs in medical research for conditions like cancer. This specialization is fascinating because it is similar to the evolution of specialized functions at other biological organization levels, for example, cells in multicellular organisms. Further, the individuals are arranged in repetitive species-specific patterns along the stem. However, in Siphonophores, each individual is specialized for a particular function, such as swimming or feeding. Colonialism in Cnidarians tends to comprise many genetically identical multicellular individuals (zooids) that are physiologically integrated. For example, colonialism in siphonophores is markedly different from other Cnidarians. Siphonophores are exceptionally interesting, and we still have so much to learn about them. Perhaps the most well-known siphonophore, the Portuguese man-o-war, lives on the surface of the ocean, with tentacles that can extend 30 m into the water column. ![]() Most species are active swimmers, although there are some exceptions. This beautiful siphonophore was seen close to the ocean bottom on an unnamed seamount just outside Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research The massive siphonophore seen on the #NingalooCanyons expedition may be the longest animal ever seen. They are usually translucent, but some deepwater species have characteristic orange or red digestive systems, and many species are bioluminescent when disturbed. Many siphonophores are long and thin, with some species as long as 40 m-making these the longest animals in the world. So far, scientists have described 175 species of siphonophores, but because the deep ocean is still largely unexplored, each new venture into the depths brings the possibility of new discoveries. They are carnivorous and colonial-mostly existing in the depths of the oceans. Siphonophores, like corals, anemones, and true jellies, are Cnidarians. A fiery siphonophore observed during an ROV dive off Northeast Fraser Island ROV SuBastian/SOI Dhugal Lindsay virtually along for the ride to explain that the fiery siphonophore was likely of the genus Marrus-possibly Marrus orthocanna – that has found its way south or Marrus antarcticus that has been swept north. The Falkor team and viewers alike were awed by this “dragon-like” creature that looked as if it were on fire. The creature swam in “a serpentine motion” while the head just breached the surface of the water.During the first dive of the voyage, the Falkor Crew happened upon a bright, orange-red jelly seemingly feeding in a vast cloud of mucus. They described Chessie as “a snake-like creature 25-30 feet in length, with a slender football-shaped head, and black in color. A Maryland resident parked on the side of Arundel Road next to the Magothy River claims to have seen Chessie “when the tide was really high”. The most recent reported sighting of Chessie was April 5th, 2014 at 1:40am. Then in 1982 Robert and Karen Frew allegedly videotaped Chessie near Kent Island. ![]() Chessie was spotted next near Calvert cliffs state park in 1978. The second sighting occurred in 1943 after two fishermen in the inner harbor reported seeing a creature swim past their boat. The first sighting of Chessie was in 1936 when a military helicopter flying over bush river reported “Something reptilian and unknown in the water”. Maryland Lore: The Chesapeake Bay Monster a.k.a Chessie is a large cryptid that resembles a plesiosaur. ![]()
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