Mauve Stinger

Pelagia noctiluca, widely known as the mauve stinger, is a distinctive species of jellyfish recognized for its ability to produce light, a phenomenon known as bioluminescence. Its name reflects its oceanic nature, with "Pelagia" meaning "of the sea" and "noctiluca" combining the Latin words for night ("nox") and light ("lux"). This jellyfish illuminates its surroundings when agitated by water movement, making it a captivating sight in dark waters.

This jellyfish is typically found in warm and tropical seas worldwide, with notable populations in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the 🌊 Gulf of Mexico. Occasionally, it appears in other areas like the Pacific and 🌊 Indian Oceans, and around 🇦🇺 Australia and 🇳🇿 New Zealand, though these might actually be different, yet unclassified, species due to observed genetic differences.

The mauve stinger is relatively small, with a bell diameter of 3 to 12 centimeters (1.2 to 4.7 inches), and comes in colors ranging from mauve and purple to yellow. Equipped with stinging cells on its tentacles and bell, it can inflict painful stings on humans, impacting tourism and interrupting fishing operations when found in large numbers, known as swarms.

A truly oceanic species, Pelagia noctiluca engages in daily vertical migrations, generally found at depths up to 150 meters (492 feet) but can dive as deep as 1,400 meters (4,593 feet). Environmental forces such as winds and ocean currents can push large groups toward shores, causing them to wash up on beaches, sometimes outside their usual temperature zone.

Structurally, this jellyfish is radially symmetrical, with a single cavity for both digestion and excretion, and lacks a centralized nervous system, respiratory, excretory, and circulatory systems. It operates with a simple nerve net and specialized cells called cnidae for capturing prey and defense. Its reproductive system includes gonads of both sexes, which are similar aside from differences in follicle thickness.

Pelagia noctiluca holds a crucial ecological and economic significance due to its frequent blooms and bioluminescence, making it one of the most extensively studied jellyfish species.