Stygiomedusa fabulosa from the North Atlantic: its Taxonomy, with a note on its Natural History

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Harbison, G. R., Smith, K. L., Backus, R. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1973
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400058811; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315400058811

The largest recorded specimen of the mesopelagic scyphomedusa, Stygiomedusa fabulosa Russell 1959, was taken in the North Atlantic (49° 53' N, 33° 18' W). Umbrella diameter was 140 cm with an oral arm length of 164 cm. This specimen is morphologically intermediate between the nominal species of the genus, S. fabulosa and S. stauchi . This suggests that S. stauchi is not a distinct species. The midwater fish Thalassobathia peligica was captured in the same haul and could live in association with large scyphomedusae.