Hydrozoans

Dendrogramma discoides gen. et sp. n., various aspects of holotype.Figure 7 from Just J, Kristensen RM, Olesen J (2014) Dendrogramma, New Genus, with Two New Non-Bilaterian Species from the Marine Bathyal of Southeastern Australia (Animalia, Metazoa incertae sedis) – with Similarities to Some Medusoids from the Precambrian Ediacara. PLoS ONE 9(9): e102976. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102976 A, adoral view. B, enlarged part of disc; C, aboral view; D, oblique adoral view. Photographs taken after shrinkage. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102976.g007

[Echinoderms of the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand]. 1-2. Hippocrene; 3-6, Phialella

Thuiaria thuja (Linn.).

Diphyes bipartita. After Mayer.

Hybocodon prolifer.

Portuguese Man-of-War.

Gonionemus vertens A. Ag..

Clytia proterium.

Eudendrium tenue A. Ag..

Figure 7.Female paratype of Errinopora undulata, USNM 1123528: A–B, D plate surface showing female ampullae, dactylopore spines, and gastropores C cross section of plate showing several gastrostyles E–F coenosteal texture G–H lateral view of a gastrostyle and detail of spination I–J lateral and apical view of a robust dactylostyle.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

Riley Thompson made this animation about the fascinating lifecycle of narco babies.We usually don't think of babies that grow inside their mothers as parasites, but sometimes the lines get very blurry. This is especially true in Narcomedusae, a group of poorly known jellyfish found throughout the world's oceans. Some species of Narcomedusae (affectionately called narcos by the people that study them) can grow inside their own mother, who provides nourishment and a safe environment. The narco babies can then leave their mother, find another jellyfish of an entirely different species, attach to its flesh, and thrive on the nourishment and safe environment that it provides. The physiological interaction of baby and host is similar in both cases - the host provides, the baby takes. But in one case the host is providing for its own offspring, in the other it is providing for somebody else's offspring.Thanks to Rebecca Helm (brown.edu/Faculty/Dunn_Lab/index.php?subject=People) and Fabien Lombard (fabien.lombard1.free.fr/indexengl.htm) for their help translating the wonderful paper on narco life cycles: Bouillon, J. (1987) Considérations sur le developpement des Narcomeduses et sur leur position phylogénétique. Indo-Malayan Zoology 4 : 189-278.Special thanks to Marjorie Thompson, Robert Sandler, and the Brown University Science Center.The music is by Tony Higgins, aka junior85: freemusicarchive.org/music/junior85/As_It_Happens_pts_1-5_1334/As_It_Happens_pt_5Visit creaturecast.org for more stories about the unexpected world of Biology.

Description: This hydromedusa is probably Benthocodon (perhaps B. pedunculata). However, the genus may be Voragonema. Without a higher resolution image or a properly preserved specimen, it is impossible to be certain. These are common in the benthic boundary zone in all the oceans. They apparently feed on copepods, perhaps too, the organic fluff that carpets the sea floor. Item Type: Image Title: Benthocodon sp. Copyright: SERPENT Species: Benthocodon sp. Behaviour: These animals drift slowly over the surface of the sediment apparently feeding on copepods and organic material on the sediment Site: Indian -- Indian Ocean -- East Africa -- Zafarani Depth (m): 2601 Countries: East Africa -- Tanzania Habitat: Benthic boundary zone Rig: Ocean Rig Poseidon Project Partners: Statoil, Oceaneering ROV: Millenium 93 and 73 Deposited By: Dr Andrew Gates Deposited On: 19 April 2012

Description: Stephanomia amphytridis in the water column in the Gulf of Mexico Item Type: Video Title: Stephanomia sp. siphonophore in the Gulf of Mexico Species: Stephanomia amphytridis Behaviour: Floating in water column Site: Atlantic -- Gulf of Mexico -- Green Canyon 821 Site Description: Midwater Depth (m): 306 Latitude: 27 deg 09' 20" N Longitude: 90 deg 29' 43" W Countries: Mexico -- Gulf of Mexico Habitat: Water temp 9.98 degrees celcius Rig: Transocean Marianas Project Partners: BP, Oceaneering, Transocean ROV: Millennium Deposited By: Rob Curry Deposited On: 17 May 2007

South Pacific Ocean, Duration 48 seconds

Davenport, California, USA

Pandea rubra