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Atolla

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Atolla
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Scyphozoa
Order:	Coronatae
Family:	Atollidae
Genus:	Atolla
Species
Atolla chuni Atolla gigantea Atolla parva Atolla russeli Atolla vanhoeffeni Atolla wyvillei

Atolla is a genus of crown jellyfish in the order Coronatae. The genus Atolla was originally discovered by Ernst Haeckel in 1880 and elevated to the monotypic family level, Atollidae by Henry Bigelow in 1913. The six known species inhabit the mesopelagic zone, also known as the twilight zone. The jellyfish within the genus are best recognized by their red tentacles. Atolla jellyfish bear grooves along their bells that look similar to crowns, making them a type of crown jellyfish (Coronatae). The most mainstream type of Atolla jellyfish is the Atolla wyvillei.

Anatomy

The jellyfish above is an atolla wyvillei.

Atolla jellyfish posses a red color, a crown-looking groove on their bells, and around 20 tentacles. Similar to most jellyfish, the Atolla species does not possess a brain, nervous system, circulatory system, central nervous system, and respiratory system and is an invertebrate.

Diet

Atolla jellyfish are known for eating crustaceans and other forms of organic matter. One of their 20 tentacles is longer than the rest and is used to lure prey more easily.

Habitat

Atolla jellyfish live in darker areas, about 300-4900 meters (1000-16000 feet) below the surface. Some of them live in the mesopelagic zone, commonly referred to as the twilight zone. Very little light is able to reach these depths of the ocean, which is why many bioluminescent creatures can be found there. Others inhabit the bathypelagic zone, which can be found 1000 to 4000 meters below the surface (3280-13123 feet).

Many of the Atolla jellyfish inhabit the mesopelagic zone, also called the twilight zone. In the image above, the mesopelagic zone is #2. The bathypelagic zone is #3.

Behavior

Atolla jellyfish use their bioluminescent abilities as a defense mechanism. If threatened, the atolla jellyfish will flash blue light. Many scientists believe that the jellyfish is trying to lure in predators to fight or eat the predator that threatens the jellyfish itself. This activity has gained them the nickname "alarm jellyfish". Their natural red color allows them to blend into their habitat, where little light reaches.