Venus girdle

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The Venus girdle (Cestum veneris) is a comb jelly in the family Cestidae. It is the only member of its genus, Cestum,[1] and is also the largest of all known ctenophores.

Venus girdle
Photographed in Hawaii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Ctenophora
Class:Tentaculata
Order:Cestida
Family:Cestidae
Genus:Cestum
Lesueur, 1813
Species:
C. veneris
Binomial name
Cestum veneris
Lesueur, 1813

Description

Venus girdles resemble transparent ribbons with iridescent edges. They may grow up to a metre in total length. Canals run the length of the ribbon in which bioluminesce activates when disturbed.[2]

Distribution

This species is pelagic and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide in midwater.[2]

Ecology

These animals swim horizontally using muscular contractions as well as the beating of the comb rows. The oral edge leads. They eat small crustaceans.[2]

References