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scientific endorsement
ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Siphonophore

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean · Red Sea · Indian Ocean

Encountering Forskalia edwardsi while diving is rare. This translucent chain drifts in midwater and seems almost unreal. Its long fishing threads catch plankton while the different parts of the colony function as a single organism.

Habitat de Siphonophore Habitat
Open water
Profondeur de Siphonophore Depth
1-400 m
Groupe biologique de Siphonophore Group
Plankton
Rôle écologique de Siphonophore Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Forskalia edwardsi is a siphonophore, meaning a colony of specialised organisms functioning as a single living being. Its elongated body consists of successive elements organised along a central axis. The upper part includes a transparent, gas-filled structure contributing to buoyancy, while the lower part groups different polyps responsible for prey capture, digestion and reproduction.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

This siphonophore lives in open water, mainly drifting with currents. It can move vertically in the water column but remains dependent on water masses and plankton conditions.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It catches small planktonic prey through long threads bearing stinging cells. These threads immobilise prey before they are carried to parts specialised in digestion.

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