A jellyfish the size of a school bus: The new scientific discovery in the Argentine Sea

"Argentina's deep sea holds more biodiversity than scientists previously thought. An expedition that traveled from the north of Buenos Aires province to Tierra del Fuego, the country's southernmost point, observed the world's largest known Bathelia candida coral reef, worms, sea urchins, snails, anemones, and a specimen that captured the public's attention: a rare phantom jellyfish that can grow as large as a school bus."

"In the image captured by the scientists, you can see juvenile fish (Centrolophus) swimming around its enormous bell at a depth of 250 meters. According to the team, its bell can reach up to one meter in diameter, and its four arms can grow as long as 10 meters. It does not have stinging tentacles, but uses its arms to trap prey such as plankton and small fish."

An expedition surveyed biodiversity across Argentina's continental shelf from north Buenos Aires province to Tierra del Fuego. Observations included the world's largest known Bathelia candida coral reef, worms, sea urchins, snails, anemones, and the giant phantom jellyfish Stygiomedusa gigantea. The research vessel Falkor, operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, supported a campaign involving scientists from the University of Buenos Aires and CONICET. Stygiomedusa gigantea was recorded at 250 meters with juvenile Centrolophus swimming around its bell. The jellyfish's bell can reach one meter in diameter and its four arms up to ten meters; it lacks stinging tentacles and captures prey with its arms.

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