Cassiopea
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Through Symbiosis, Photosynthesis and Coral
Species
According to the World Register of Marine Species, this genus includes 8 species:
- Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775)—Indo-Pacific, introduced in the Mediterranean
- Cassiopea depressa Haeckel, 1880—Western Indian Ocean off the African coast
- Cassiopea frondosa (Pallas, 1774)—Western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea
- Cassiopea maremetens Gershwin, Zeidler & Davie, 2010—Western Pacific Ocean, off the Australian Coast
- Cassiopea medusa Light, 1914—Pacific Ocean, Philippines and Palau Region
- Cassiopea mertensi Brandt, 1838—Pacific Ocean Southern Micronesia
- Cassiopea ndrosia Agassiz & Mayer, 1899—Pacific Ocean, Australia and Fiji
- Cassiopea ornata Haeckel, 1880—Pacific Ocean, Palau, Philippines, Okinawa
- Cassiopea xamachana Bigelow, 1892—Caribbean Sea and the Northern Atlantic Area of the West indies
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Defense system
Cassiopea species have a mild sting since they are primarily photosynthetic, but sensitive individuals may have a stronger reaction. The photosynthesis occurs because, like most corals, they host zooxanthellae in their tissues. The stinging cells are also found in cellular masses, dubbed "cassiosomes", excreted in a mucus; people swimming near the jellyfish may come in contact with these cassiosomes and be stung. The stings, appearing in the form of a red rash-like skin irritation, are known for being extraordinarily itchy. Sometimes this jellyfish is picked up by the crab Dorippe frascone and carried on its back. The crab uses the jellyfish to defend itself against possible predators.
Behavior
Certain species of Cassiopea have been observed to enter a sleep state - exhibiting decreased pulsation rate, reduced responsiveness to stimuli, and compensatory rebound sleep after deprivation. They are the first animals with no central nervous system to have been observed sleeping.