PURPLE-STRIPED JELLYFISH

A bloom of venomous jellyfish was reported by marine researchers across the Visakhapatnam coast on April 3. The species, Pelagia noctiluca, also known as the mauve stinger or purple-striped jellyfish, has a painful sting and causes different degrees of illnesses and can be life-threatening.

1. Rarely seen on the east coast of India, several poisonous jellyfish species with a bell diameter of three to five centimeters long were spotted at RK beach and other parts of the coast frequented by tourists and visitors.

Characteristics of the Purple-striped Jellyfish:

• Appearance:  It features a blue-purple (mauve) colored, globe-shaped umbrella covered in orangey-brown warts.
• Habitat: Found primarily in pelagic or open ocean, but can survive in benthic and temperate coastal environments.
• Distribution: Found in tropical and warm-temperature seas throughout the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Unique Feature: Unlike other jellyfish species, it has stingers not only on its tentacles but also on its bell. These stingers are bioluminescent, meaning they can glow in the dark.
• Venomous Effects: It is toxic and can cause varying degrees of illness, such as diarrhea, extreme pain, vomiting.
• Jellyfish Bloom:  This occurs when the population of a species increases dramatically within a short period of time, usually due to high reproduction rates.

Marine biologists believe that the frequent occurrence of jellyfish blooms due to rising ocean temperatures is a significant factor in the increase in their populations.

FAQs:

Q1:What is an algal bloom?

• An algal bloom is an excessive growth of algae in a body of water.
• Algae can be microscopic, single-celled organisms or large seaweeds.
• Algae blooms can be green, blue-green, red, or brown, depending on the type of algae.
• Algal blooms can be caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
• The algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae dies, the oxygen in the water is consumed, making it impossible for aquatic life to survive.

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