Olindias deigo is the newest species of Olindiidae from Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan. It might look like a Jellyfish but actually it is not. It is similar to Flower hat jelly (Olindias formosa) which is showcased in many public aquariums.
Recently ten specimens of Olindias were collected and analysed the results show that there is a new species on the bases of number and color of tentacles present on the medusae. Other than the analyses the scientists also observed and documented the life history of this new species.
Medusae were collected while scuba diving with the help of dipper net and plastic bags. Olindiidae is the largest family which includes 49 species which have been recorded from the Pacific and the Atlantic in tropical, subtropical, mild, and cold localities. Most species are from salt waters but some have also been found in fresh and brackish waters.
New Japanese name: Deigo-hanagasa-kurage, Deigo is also a popular flower Erythrina variegata.
The mature medusae have a transparent dome with a height of 40 mm and a diameter of 80 mm. Primary tentacles about 80 to 140 and secondary tentacles about 50. Olindias deigo are found in the shallow water form a depth of 3-10 m in subtropical temperature localities. The species is known to be active at night and extend their tentacles at this time.
The new species look absolutely amazing and there more if you want to read in-depth on Zookeys.
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