Friday 19 August 2011

Lobate Comb Jelly

Image: Wikipedia
Lobate Ctenophores are Comb Jellies in the order Lobata. They got lobes!

These lobes are like huge, muscular lips that extend out from the body and leave the mouth in their ambitious wake. Instead of the long, sticky tentacles trailing behind like a fishing line that other Comb Jellies have, Lobate tentacles are on the inner surface of the lips in grooves that wind around and about.

It means that those lips can close around morsels of plankton, trapping them. They can then get caught by the tentacles and moved to the mouth. Some Lobates even have rows of cilia right next to the mouth, which can create a current to direct food right to where it's wanted most.

Aside from that, they have the normal 8 rows of cilia beating at extraordinary speed to get them around. But, when predators come a-calling those huge lobes have a whole new purpose for some Lobates. If they're shut with enough speed, a jet of water is released and they'll fly backwards at a pace that must surely be the toast of the jelly world!

If you got it, run with it!
Jet propulse with it?

2 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

ugh! 'toast of the jelly world'???!!! groan...

Joseph JG said...

Hahaha!!!

Would you believe me if I said I didn't even notice that?

I seem to be getting so cheesy that I don't even notice. At least it makes thing a little easier!