Sea nettles and medusa: a world atlas of jellyfish - in pictures

A comprehensive book catalogues the myriad types of jellyfish around the world

Main image: Chrysaora fuscescens, or the Pacific sea nettle. Photograph: T. Murai/World Atlas of Jellyfish

  • A young medusa or Phacellophora camtschatica, commonly known as the fried egg jellyfish. It lives mostly in cold waters around the world and can grow as large as 60cm in diameter. First described in 1835, it has a yellow stomach and orange moutharms. Its Latin name refers to the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia, where it was first found.
    A young medusa of Phacellophora camtschatica, commonly known as the fried egg jellyfish.

  • Two mature Chrysaora fuscescens medusae. Known as the Pacific sea nettle, it lives off the west coast of the US and Canada, reaching as far north as Alaska and as far south as Baja California in Mexico. Adults have 24 long red tentacles that deliver a mild sting if touched.
    Two mature Chrysaora fuscescens medusae

  • Chrysaora achlyos, also known as the black sea nettle. It is found from southern California down to the west coast of Mexico, and can grow to a metre in diameter. Nothing is yet known about this jellyfish’s diet, but it is often found in the same areas as fish and crabs.
    Chrysaora achlyos, also known as the black sea nettle

  • Ernst Haeckel’s drawing of Nausithoe challengeri, described in 1880. Haeckel captured his specimens at a depth of 2,600m, close to the island of Tristan da Cunha in the south Atlantic. The name refers to the fact the medusae were dredged by the ship HMS Challenger.
    Ernst Haeckel’s drawing of Nausithoe challengeri, described in 1880.

  • Aurelia labiata is a species of moon jellyfish usually found off the California coast. Distinguished by their many fine tentacles, they can grow up to 45cm wide.
    Aurelia labiata is a species of moon jellyfish usually found off the California coast.

  • Ernst Haeckel’s sketch of Chrysaora hysoscella, also known as the compass jellyfish, which is found in Europe from the Mediterranean up to the Baltic. First described by Carl Linnaeus, it can grow up to 25cm wide. The jellyfish are hermaphroditic, and prefer to feed on gelatinous plankton.
    Chrysaora hysoscella, also known as the compass jellyfish

  • Chrysaora pacifica, or Japanese sea nettle, is found off the coast of Japan and the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and Russia. Adults have a whitish umbrella with thin brown stripes radiating from the centre, and can grow as wide as 15cm. They are most common in spring and summer, and nothing is known about their diet.
    Chrysaora pacifica, or Japanese sea nettle

  • Acromitus maculosus, distinguished by the many-spotted umbrella in adults, is only found around the Philippines.
    Acromitus maculosus, distinguished by the many-spotted umbrella in adults, is only found around the Philippines.

  • A young Nemopilema nomurai medusa. The species can grow up to 120cm wide, and is common around Japan and Korea, where it is eaten. It is venomous and can cause a painful sting when touched.
    A young Nemopilema nomurai medusa

  • Cyanea capillata is found in northern Europe, from the Bay of Biscay to the Arctic. Known as the lion’s mane jellyfish, it is seen frequently on beaches and was even used as a key plot device in a Sherlock Holmes short story. Stings from the jellyfish are severe and can leave scars.
    Cyanea capillata

  • An adult male Copula sivickisi. Its name refers to the courtship behaviour in which males and females entangle their tentacles and swim as a couple. The male then delivers a capsule of sperm which is swallowed by the female. Sometimes many males tangle with a single female at once.
    An adult male Copula sivickisi. The name refers to the courtship behaviour in which males and females entangle their tentacles and swim as a couple. The male then delivers a capsule of sperm which is swallowed by the female. Sometimes many males tangle with a single female at once.

  • Young medusae from the species Cassiopea andromeda, which is found in the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. It is named after the Ethiopian princess Andromeda from Greek myth, who was sacrificed to the sea god Poseidon. Its sting can be strong but is usually harmless.
    Young medusae from the species Cassiopea andromeda

  • Two young medusae of Mastigias papua, also known as the spotted jelly, lagoon jelly, golden medusa, or Papuan jellyfish. It is found across much of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, and can grow up to 8cm wide.
    Two young medusae of Mastigias papua, also known as the spotted jelly, lagoon jelly, golden medusa, or Papuan jellyfish. It is found across much of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, and can grow up to 8cm wide.

  • Atorella octogonos, so named for its unusual number of eight gonads, was not described until 1987. Found in the tropical west Atlantic, it grows to a diameter of just 2cm and is almost completely transparent.
    Atorella octogonos, so named for its unusual number of eight gonads

  • The World Atlas of Jellyfish is published by Dölling und Galitz Verlag.
    The World Atlas of Jellyfish
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