Researchers film jellyfish the "size of a school bus"

"While traveling from Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego, researchers filmed a giant phantom jellyfish. The tentacles of these creatures can grow up to ten meters long. But the scientists discovered even more.

 

Scientists have filmed a giant jellyfish in the deep sea off Argentina's Atlantic coast. The phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea), the "size of a school bus," was discovered at a depth of approximately 250 meters, the Schmidt Ocean Institute announced. The tentacles of these animals can reach up to ten meters in length.

 

During their journey from Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego, the researchers also discovered several coral reefs and presumably 28 new species, including worms, snails, and sea anemones. They also found a large amount of trash, such as fishing nets, plastic bags, and a VHS cassette with Arabic writing in almost pristine condition. This shows how long plastics pollute the oceans, the scientists said in their statement.

 

"We have collected an unprecedented number of chemical, physical, and biological samples that will help us understand the interconnectedness of our waters," said Melisa Fernández Severini of the Argentine Institute of Oceanography. "These samples offer a unique opportunity to understand not only how extraordinary these extreme ecosystems are, but also how vulnerable they can be."”