Are there male and female jellyfish?
The answer is "yes". Jellyfish have reproductive organs called gonads. When the time comes to make new jellyfish, a male releases sperm through its mouth into the water column. A passing female siphons some of the swimming sperm and fertilization occurs within the body or in brood pouches. These brood pouches are located on the oral arms of the jellyfish. After some early development, small swimming larvae leave the body or brood pouch. Once in the water column, they attach to solid rock or shells on the sea floor. They transform into polyps which feed on microscopic organisms passing by. Eventually these polyps multiply and form stacks of larvae discs called ephra. After months of development, each of these stacked ephra break off and develop into a adult or Medusa jellyfish.
No comments:
Post a Comment