Cannonball+Jellyfish

Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Scyphozoa
 * Cannonball Jellyfish;** //Stomolophus meleagris//

__** Location: **__ Cannonball Jellyfish range from North Carolina to Florida and the Carribean. They are also seasonal in the Indian River Lagoon. flood tides. They contract their bells to project themselves through the water, but are unable to overcome the effects of winds and water currents.
 * __ Size: __** Large, half-egg shaped mushroom. Very muscular body. Up to 7-10 inches in diameter.
 * __ Habitat: __** They are typically found along costlines and enter bay mouths and estuaries during

__** Life Cycle: **__ Most jellyfish have a 5-stage life cycle. A full-grown female medusa's gonads form and hold the eggs. The male releases sperm which floats into the female's mouth and fertilizes the egg. (Sexual Reproduction) They are then released into the water from the female's mouth. The young creatures then attach themselves and change into polyp. The polyp divide themselves to make new polyp (Asexual Reproduction) They also divide and turn into ephyra that gradually grow to be full size jellyfish. Most jellyfish only live three to six months, but reproduce many times during this life span.


 * __ Interesting Facts: __**
 * Body color ranges from milky brown to yellow.
 * Contain large amounts of protein.
 * Has the most muscular body of jellyfish.
 * A single school of jellyfish can consist of thousands.
 * The cannonball jellyfish spoils quickly when taken out of water.
 * They produce a very mild sting.

**__Human Impact:__** People believe that the cannonball jellyfish could contain secrets for new medicines against arthritis, bronchitis, and high blood pressure. This animal has been apart of Asian medicines for several years.

__ Internet Information Resources: __ __** [] **__ __** [] **__ __** [] **__ __** [] **__ __ Internet Picture Resources: __ __** [|crd.dnr.state.ga.us] **__ __** [] **__ __** [] **__ __** [|deepseamustangdiver.blogspot.com] **__
 * __Zookeeper Taylor Cebuly:__**