mertensiid ctenophore

This mertensiid ctenophore has two tentacles which it can extend; they have specialized adhesive structures to capture other zooplankton, including copepods, euphausiid larvae, mysids, and fish larvae. The tentacles are retracted towards the mouth to ingest the prey. Shown here with a captured pteropod Clione antarctica [2].



Ctenophores are commonly known as comb jellies, are biradially symmetrical with a transparent gelatinous ectomesoderm containing muscle fibers, have a nervous system and a separate muscular system, and have eight ciliary comb rows [1]. Ctenophores combs propel their movement; the comb rows beat in a regular sequence starting from the aboral end (away from the mouth) thus propelling the ctenophore with its mouth forward [1].

1: Guide to the Ctenophores of the Southern Ocean and Adjacent Waters. D O'Sullivan. ANARE Research Notes No.36. Kingston, Tasmania : Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions, 1986; 2: Jim Mastro, personal communication, 1999

Text ©Peter Brueggeman. Photographs ©Jim Mastro. Photographs may not be used in any form without the express written permission of Jim Mastro.