Cestum veneris

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: incertae sedis
Phylum: Ctenophora
Classis: Tentaculata
Subclassis: Cyclocoela
Ordo: Cestida

Familia: Cestidae
Genus: Cestum
Species: Cestum veneris
Synonyms (1): C. amphitrites
Name

Cestum veneris Lesueur, 1813

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Venusgürtel
English: Venus girdle
español: Cinturón de Venus
italiano: Cinto di Venere
The Venus girdle (Cestum veneris) is a comb jelly in the family Cestidae. It is the only member of its genus, Cestum,[1] and is also the largest of all known ctenophores.

Description

Venus girdles resemble transparent ribbons with iridescent edges. They may grow up to a metre in total length. Canals run the length of the ribbon in which bioluminesce activates when disturbed.[2]

Distribution

This species is pelagic and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide in midwater.[2]

Ecology

These animals swim horizontally using muscular contractions as well as the beating of the comb rows. The oral edge leads. They eat small crustaceans.[2]

References

"WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cestum veneris Lesueur, 1813". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
Wrobel D. & Mills C. 2003. Has no bell, no tentacles,found in the Mediterranean Sea. Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates: a guide to the common gelatinous animals. Sea Challengers. ISBN 0-930118-23-5