Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Beroid ctenophores


Beroid ctenophores are a remarkable group that preys voraciously on other comb jellies. Unlike their cydippid relatives, Beroe lack tentacles throughout the life cycle. The body resembles a swimming sac, with a large forward directed mouth. Instead of sticky tentacles or large oral lobes, the cavernous mouth is used to engulf prey whole. Small Beroe use modified mouth cilia (the macrocilia) to bite off pieces of comb jelly prey; larger individuals also use the macrocilia to grab and swallow whole prey.

Using the eight comb rows for propulsion, Beroe are relatively strong swimmers. They swim constantly in search of prey, which are encountered blindly. Comb jellies look anything but dangerous. But those pretty, flashing lights can mean death for unwary prey.



Watch & Learn:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/weirdest-neon-killers

Read & Learn:http://jellieszone.com/ctenophores/beroe/

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