Siphonophore Apolemia

Siphonophore Apolemia

Smithsonian

Siphonophore Apolemia

Siphonophore Apolemia is suspected to be the longest organism on earth, outsizing both the blue whale and the giant squid. This particular sample is estimated to be 150 meters long. They are not actually single organisms, but rather a colony of cells known as Zooids. The spiral formation seen in the image is actually a hunting strategy, as unsuspecting prey bumping into the siphonophore will be stung and slowly consumed. Siphonophores live deep below the surface at 600-1000m, and are rarely seen--especially having grown to this massive scale.

Smithsonian

2020-04-10

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