The discovery of a rare siphonophore off the coast of South Africa extends the known distribution of the species and provides new insights into its biology.
This rare marine organism, recorded for the first time in the region, extends the known distribution of the species by 450 kilometers, offering new insights into the biology of this mysterious creature. Published in the scientific journal, the finding not only deepens our understanding of siphonophores but also emphasizes the rich and delicate biodiversity of South Africa’s marine life, particularly within the Great African Seaforest.
This organism is part of the siphonophore group, a remarkable class of marine animals in the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. Unlike solitary organisms, siphonophores are colonial creatures made up of specialized individuals, called ‘zooids,’ that work in unison to form a functional whole. Freedivers in the region made the discovery between June and September 2022, capturing the organism on film and photography. Marine biologist Dr. Jannes Landschoff, co-author of the study and a Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Botany and Zoology, expressed his excitement upon first encountering the siphonophore: ‘When I saw this siphonophore for the first time, I got so excited and couldn’t believe my eyes. I immediately knew it was a special discovery, and I wanted to learn more about this exquisite life form.’ Dr. Landschoff is also affiliated with the Sea Change Project, where he and his team made the observation. The study, led by Dr. Gill Mapstone from the Natural History Museum in London, sheds light on the siphonophore’s unique morphology and diet. The species’ characteristic pink tentacles and translucent bodies were clearly visible in the underwater photographs and videos. Interestingly, the siphonophore was observed preying on fish larvae and even capturing a chaetognath—an aggressive, predatory marine worm
MARINE BIOLOGY SIPHONOPHORES SOUTH AFRICA BIODIVERSITY
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