Scientists uncover a centuries-old case of mistaken identity in the Chesapeake Bay

The newly classified bay nettle jellyfish is found to have smaller features than their saltwater relatives, including a smaller bell and half as many tentacles.

The newly classified bay nettle jellyfish is found to have smaller features than their saltwater relatives, including a smaller bell and half as many tentacles. (Image credit: Keith Bayha; DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3863)

Download Image

Jellyfish sting swimmers, clog fishing nets, and in high numbers can close beaches. But despite their nuisance to humans, they play an important role in the marine ecosystem – including in the Chesapeake Bay, where they protect commercially valuable Eastern oysters from predators.

Scientists recently discovered that some jellyfish in the Bay are quite different from their ocean cousins. This led scientists from NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History to declare them as two different species. The newly recognized bay nettle jellies (Chrysaora chesapeakei) are noticeably smaller than their saltwater relatives, and have only half as many tentacles.

Upon closer examination, scientists find that the newly-documented bay nettle jellyfish have noticeable differences than their ocean cousins.
Upon closer examination, scientists find that the newly-documented bay nettle jellyfish have noticeable differences than their ocean cousins. (NOAA)
Download Image

Does having fewer tentacles mean less of a sting? Likely not. But this new discovery may inspire other scientists to take a closer look at jellies in other parts of the world to see if there are other cases of mistaken identity.

Read more 

Related Features //