About Desmonema gaudichaudi (Lesson, 1830)
Desmonema gaudichaudi is characterized by a bell that typically measures 10 to 20 cm in diameter, though specimens up to 50 cm across have been recorded. Bell coloration is variable, ranging from pale hues with dark spots to uniformly maroon, brown, or violet shades. The bell margin has 32 lobes (lappets), and tentacle clusters here usually consist of five to seven tentacles arranged in a single row. Internally, this species has a few broad radial canals that branch from the stomach to the bell margin, and lateral canals often show unilateral branching. It also has four long oral arms that are used to capture prey and transport it to the central mouth. This species occurs mainly in colder waters, and is consistently found throughout New Zealand, where it is one of the most common jellyfish species. Vagrants, while uncommon, have been spotted in Australian coastal waters ranging from Coffs Harbour as far north as Cape Tribulation.
