Luminous sea creature with 15 tentacles found off the coast of Florida. It’s a new species

The divers donned their gear and dove into the dark waters off the coast of Florida. Equipped with flashlights, divers searched the ocean and spotted a glowing sea creature with 15 tentacles.

It turned out to be a new species

Peter Schuchert and Richard Collins studied marine life near Palm Beach during 91 night dives over several years, according to a study published April 30 in the peer-reviewed journal Revue suisse de Zoologie. During their dives, they searched for a group of marine animals called hydromedusae.

Commonly called jellyfish because of their appearance, hydrojellyfish are scientifically known as hydrozoans. These small, colonial animals live in columns of salt water and only come to the surface at night, making them difficult to find.

During their dives, the researchers encountered nine jellyfish of unknown appearance, according to the study. They photographed the glowing marine animals and captured a few. Upon closer inspection, the researchers realized they had discovered a new species: Melicertum tropicalis, or warm water jellyfish.

Warm-water jellyfish are small, measuring about a quarter of an inch in length, according to the study. They have a “bell-shaped” body with a “thick” outer skin and between “15 to 18 long tentacles.” Their mouth has eight “small lips”.

Discover more new species

Thousands of new species are discovered every year. Here are three of our most attention-grabbing stories from the past week.

→Deep-sea creature – “rectangular” shape – discovery

→Sea creature ‘decorated with gold’ found on coral in Philippines

→Clawed forest creature found hiding near temple in India

Fascinating photos show several Melicertum tropicalis jellyfish. Animals appear blue-green in color. The inside of their “bell-shaped” body almost resembles a starry galaxy.

Researchers suspect the new species glows or fluoresces, but they haven’t tested it yet, co-author Richard Collins told McClatchy News by email. When illuminated by white light, the animal “has a green tint.”

Like other hydrojellyfish, the new species uses jet propulsion to move through water, study co-author Peter Schuchert told McClatchy News. This process involves drawing in water and then releasing it through a narrowed opening.

Although some hydromedusa species sting when touched, “it’s unlikely that Melicertum tropicalis is a stinger,” Schuchert said.

The researchers said they named the new species after its “occurrence in warm waters” because its closest relative prefers cold water, according to the study.

The new species was identified by its tentacles, coloration, DNA, reproductive system and other subtle physical characteristics, according to the study.

Researchers also discovered a second new species of jellyfish and documented dozens more.

“Part of the work we do is demonstrating and documenting the incredible ocean biodiversity here in Florida,” Collins said. “Florida’s waters are well studied compared to most of the world’s oceans, and yet there is still so much to learn and discover.”

‘Rare’ ocean predator – with ‘blade-like teeth’ – seen off UK coast, photos show

Fanged creatures with ‘medically significant’ venom found in China. See new species

“Mysterious” winged creature rediscovered in Taiwan after 87 years, study finds. To see the