About Aurelia aurita (Linnaeus, 1758)
Like other species in its genus, this jellyfish is almost entirely translucent, and typically reaches 25–40 cm (10–16 in) in bell diameter. It can be easily identified by its four horseshoe-shaped gonads, which are visible through the top of the bell. It feeds by collecting medusae, plankton, and mollusks with its short, fine tentacles, then bringing these prey items into its body for digestion. Its sting has only a mild effect on humans, and most people experience little to no reaction to a sting. This species is only capable of limited movement, and drifts with ocean currents even when it is actively swimming. A. aurita is endemic to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Baltic Sea, where the 1758 type specimen of the species was collected. Established introduced populations also exist in the Northeastern United States and Argentina, though natural dispersion to the United States cannot be completely ruled out. A single specimen of A. aurita has also been recorded in the Pacific Northwest.
