Summary (tl;dr)

A rare "school bus-sized" giant phantom jelly was recently sighted and filmed by deep-sea researchers off the coast of Argentina, sparking renewed interest in this elusive creature.

Essential Background

The giant phantom jelly, scientifically known as Stygiomedusa gigantea, is a deep-sea jellyfish and one of the largest predatory invertebrates in the world. Its bell can measure over one meter across, and its four ribbon-like oral arms can extend more than 10 meters (33 feet) in length. This species is rarely observed, with only approximately 120 confirmed sightings in 110 years, making each encounter a significant event for scientists due to its deep-water habitat challenges. Unlike many jellyfish, it captures prey by entangling it with its large arms rather than stinging.

The Full Story

Scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's R/V Falkor, during an Argentinian-led expedition, captured remarkable video footage of a giant phantom jelly. The sighting occurred at a depth of about 820 feet (250 meters) using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named SuBastian, while exploring the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon wall. This discovery was part of a broader expedition that traversed Argentina's continental shelf from Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego, revealing unexpectedly high biodiversity. In addition to the phantom jelly, the research team also identified 28 potential new species, documented the world's largest known Bathelia candida coral reef in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, and found Argentina's first deep-water whale fall.

Why It Matters

This rare sighting of the giant phantom jelly is significant because it provides invaluable data for understanding deep-sea ecosystems and the life forms within them, which remain largely unexplored. Such discoveries underscore the vast and often mysterious biodiversity of the ocean's depths. The footage allows researchers to study the animal intact in its natural environment, providing insights into its behavior and ecological role that cannot be obtained through traditional methods like trawl nets. Furthermore, the expedition's broader findings of new species and extensive coral reefs highlight the critical importance of deep-sea exploration for conservation efforts and understanding the planet's overall biodiversity.

Geographic Location

• Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon, Pacific Ocean, Argentina (sighting of giant phantom jelly)