– K. Evans)
– L. Viatour
by Andrew Bryant, 18 March 2010
Kyrie Mann is a local biologist who also works a a guide and kayak instructor. She grew up here and loves everything about the outdoors. She spoke to us about jellyfish and their unusual characteristics.
Jellyfish are members of the phylum Cnidaria, which includes predominantly marine invertebrates, and are well known for their sting. Stinging cells are a defence mechanism and a way to capture prey.
The most common jellyfish encountered here are the red Lion’s Mane jelly (Cyanea capillata) and the translucent Moon jelly (Aurelia aurita). The former species is the largest jellyfish known, and enjoys the cool waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic and northern Pacific oceans. One specimen (which had a bell of approximately two metres diameter and tentacles 36.5 metres long) was found to be larger than the Blue Whale, making it the largest animal in the world.
The Powell River Peak interviewed Kyrie for a story, which can be found here.
