Mnemiopsis+leidyi

//Mnemiopsis leidyi //

Class: Tentaculata Order: Lobata  Family: Bolinopsidae //Mnemiopsis leidyi//, or the “sea walnut,” can grow up to 12 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width. They have a laterally compressed body with four rows of cilia that are iridescent during the day. During the night time, the cilia glow green. The outer surface of its body is covered in small warts. //M. leidyi// are most commonly found in temperate, subtropical estuaries along the Atlantic coast of North and South America. They can tolerate a wide range of salinity, temperature, and water quality conditions in their environments.

They mainly prey on holoplankton, meroplankton, and fish eggs and larvae. In a single day, //M. leidyi// can digest up to 10 times is body weight.

When //M. leidyi// are disturbed, they produce a bright green luminescent flash along their combs of cilia.

//M. leidyi// produce both sperm and eggs. Larger organisms can produce 2000-8000 eggs during spawning. The eggs and sperm leave the organism and fertilize in the water.

Pleurobrachia bachei

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