A bloom of venomous jellyfish was reported by marine researchers across the Visakhapatnam coast on April 3. The species, Pelagia noctiluca, also known as the mauve stinger or purple-striped jellyfish, has a painful sting and causes different degrees of illnesses and can be life-threatening.
- Rarely seen on the east coast of India, several poisonous jellyfish species with a bell diameter of three to five centimeters long were spotted at RK beach and other parts of the coast frequented by tourists and visitors.
Characteristics of the Purple-striped Jellyfish:
- Appearance: It features a blue-purple (mauve) colored, globe-shaped umbrella covered in orangey-brown warts.
- Habitat: Found primarily in pelagic or open ocean, but can survive in benthic and temperate coastal environments.
- Distribution: Found in tropical and warm-temperature seas throughout the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Unique Feature: Unlike other jellyfish species, it has stingers not only on its tentacles but also on its bell. These stingers are bioluminescent, meaning they can glow in the dark.
- Venomous Effects: It is toxic and can cause varying degrees of illness, such as diarrhea, extreme pain, vomiting.
- Jellyfish Bloom: This occurs when the population of a species increases dramatically within a short period of time, usually due to high reproduction rates.
Marine biologists believe that the frequent occurrence of jellyfish blooms due to rising ocean temperatures is a significant factor in the increase in their populations.
FAQs:
Q1:What is an algal bloom?
- An algal bloom is an excessive growth of algae in a body of water.
- Algae can be microscopic, single-celled organisms or large seaweeds.
- Algae blooms can be green, blue-green, red, or brown, depending on the type of algae.
- Algal blooms can be caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
- The algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae dies, the oxygen in the water is consumed, making it impossible for aquatic life to survive.
