Govind Tekale
A Japanese student’s childhood fascination with jellyfish has led to the discovery of a new species now known as the “integral jellyfish.” Officially named Orchistoma integrale, this marine creature was found in the coastal waters of Japan and represents a significant addition to our understanding of ocean biodiversity.
From Childhood Interest to Scientific Discovery
Ryoya Sugimoto, a student at the University of Tokyo, first encountered the unknown jellyfish species as a 13-year-old in 2018 while observing marine life from the docks of Tanabe Bay in Wakayama, Japan. His interest in jellyfish began after being stung by one as a child, which sparked a journey of self-education through books and online resources.
“I remembered all the jellyfish species of Japan from books I’d read, but these were morphologically different from any species I knew,” Sugimoto recalls.
After collecting several dozen specimens to study at home, Sugimoto noticed they developed unusual characteristics as they matured. Seeking expert guidance, he contacted Dr. Allen Collins, director of NOAA Fisheries’ National Systematics Laboratory and a leading jellyfish expert.
Scientific Validation
Dr. Collins conducted genetic and morphological analyses that confirmed Sugimoto’s suspicions – this was indeed a previously undescribed species.
“When Ryoya first contacted me, I didn’t expect this to be something new, but I was excited to work with someone young and passionate,” Collins said. “This was also a great opportunity to obtain some well-preserved specimens and document the genetics and characteristics of an organism from another part of the world.”
Distinctive Features
The integral jellyfish earned its name from its uniquely shaped reproductive organs (gonads) that resemble the mathematical integral symbol. While classified as a hydrozoan rather than a “true” jellyfish, it belongs to a diverse group with over 3,000 known species.
According to Collins, this hydrozoan has unusual characteristics: “The integral jellyfish has a particularly long projection, called a peduncle, with a short throat (or manubrium) at its end that hangs down from the central bell. Its manubrium ends in a mouth with many frilly lips.”
Unlike most jellyfish that have tentacles in multiples of four, the specimens collected by Sugimoto had four to six tentacles that increased irregularly as they matured – a pattern that didn’t match any known species.
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Scientific Significance
The discovery raises important questions for marine biologists. “This discovery is surprising in the sense that we’ve never seen a species from this family in the northwest Pacific Ocean,” Collins explained.
Sugimoto adds that finding this species in Japan raises additional questions: “Why hasn’t it been discovered before? Did it suddenly appear here? Has it been introduced from another location, or is its range changing?”
The holotype specimen – the reference model for the species – is now preserved at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tsukuba, Japan. Additional specimens, including one tentacle and a whole specimen, are housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Broader Implications for Marine Research
This discovery highlights the importance of cataloging marine biodiversity. Characterizing the genetics of new species enables scientists to detect them in environmental samples through environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques, which help track species presence without direct observation.
“Jellies are integral parts of their ecosystems,” Collins emphasized. “When we understand what they are, we can better understand what they’re doing, and that tells us how their ecosystem is doing on the whole, especially as it’s perturbed by natural and human impacts.”
For Sugimoto, who continues to study marine science with a focus on the rejuvenation process that makes some hydrozoan species “immortal,” the experience has been transformative. “By using jellyfish as a common language, along with English, I have come to know the joy of connecting with others across borders, sharing my passion and interests,” he said.
This discovery joins Dr. Collins’ previous work identifying new marine species, including the bay nettle jellyfish (Chrysaora chesapeakei), a species of comb jelly (Duobrachium sparksae), and the E.T. sponge (Advhena magnifica).
As scientists continue to document marine biodiversity, each new species helps build a more complete picture of ocean ecosystems and provides valuable data for conservation and management efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the integral jellyfish unique compared to other jellyfish species?
The integral jellyfish (Orchistoma integrale) has distinctively shaped gonads resembling mathematical integral symbols. It also has a long peduncle with a short throat ending in a mouth with many frilly lips, unlike other hydrozoans that typically have simple mouths with just four lips or none at all. Additionally, it shows an unusual growth pattern with tentacles increasing irregularly as it matures.
Who discovered the integral jellyfish and how was it found?
The integral jellyfish was discovered by Ryoya Sugimoto, a Japanese student, when he was 13 years old in 2018. He spotted unfamiliar jellyfish while observing marine life from docks in Tanabe Bay, Wakayama, Japan. After collecting and raising them at home, he noticed their unique characteristics and contacted Dr. Allen Collins, a jellyfish expert at NOAA Fisheries’ National Systematics Laboratory, who confirmed it was a new species.
Is the integral jellyfish dangerous to humans?
The article doesn’t specifically mention whether the integral jellyfish is dangerous or can sting humans. It’s described as a hydrozoan, a group related to but distinct from “true” jellyfish. While some hydrozoans can sting, the integral jellyfish’s potential threat to humans isn’t addressed in the available information.
Where can the integral jellyfish be found?
The integral jellyfish was discovered in Tanabe Bay, Wakayama, Japan. It’s described as a shallow water species found “right off the docks.” This is significant as scientists note this species had never been observed before in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
What does the integral jellyfish eat?
According to Dr. Collins, researchers aren’t exactly sure what the integral jellyfish eats, but they believe it likely feeds on small copepods (tiny crustaceans) or other jellies. More research is needed to fully understand its diet and feeding habits.
Why is discovering new jellyfish species important?
Discovering new jellyfish species helps scientists better understand marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. Each new species adds to our knowledge of ocean food webs and environmental relationships. The genetic information from new species also allows scientists to detect their presence through environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, which helps monitor marine ecosystems without direct observation. As Dr. Collins states, “Jellies are integral parts of their ecosystems,” and understanding them helps assess overall ecosystem health.
