The woolly siphonophore thrives in the deep sea by stretching out to catch a meal

The endless expanse of the ocean’s midnight zone offers plenty of room to stretch out. Here, some animals can grow to great lengths. Siphonophores are gelatinous animals composed of specialized parts growing together in a chain. The woolly siphonophore (Apolemia lanosa) is a shaggy species we often encounter in Monterey Bay. We know they can reach at least five meters (16 feet) in length, but other siphonophores can be as long as a blue whale!
We often encounter the woolly siphonophore in a spiral coil dangling a curtain of tentacles. Specialized stinging cells stun any unfortunate animal that blunders into those sprawling tentacles. The woolly siphonophore is one of two new Apolemia species we discovered in Monterey Bay. Our team has worked with collaborators around the world to describe 11 previously unknown siphonophore species off the California coast.
Understanding and documenting deep-sea biodiversity is increasingly critical. Fishing pressure, pollution, and climate change all threaten the deep ocean. We urgently need to establish a baseline of what lives in the deep sea to monitor ongoing human impacts on this environment.
Learn more about this and other fascinating animals of the deep: mbari.co/Wooll...
Script writer: Kristine Walz
Science advisor: Steve Haddock
Editor: Ted Blanco
Narrator: Madeline Go
Motion Graphics: Madeline Go
Production team: Heidi Cullen, Madeline Go, Larissa Lemon, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun, Kristine Walz
Music: 'Beautiful Spa Music' by Gusto from Storyblocks.com
References:
Choy, C.A., S.H.D. Haddock, and B.H. Robison (2017). Deep pelagic food web structure as revealed by in situ feeding observations. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 284: 20172116. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2116
Damian-Serrano, A., S.H.D. Haddock, and C.W. Dunn (2021). The evolution of siphonophore tentilla for specialized prey capture in the open ocean. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(8): e2005063118. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2005063118
Damian-Serrano, A., E.D. Hetherington, C.A. Choy, S.H.D. Haddock, A. Lapides, and C.W. Dunn (2022). Characterizing the secret diets of siphonophores (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) using DNA metabarcoding. PLoS ONE, 17(5): e0267761. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267761
Gasca, R. and S.H.D. Haddock (2016). The rare deep-living hyperiid amphipod Megalanceoloides remipes (Barnard, 1932): complementary description and symbiosis. Zootaxa, 4178 (1): 138-144. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4178.1.7
Gasca, R., R. Hoover, and S.H.D. Haddock (2015). New symbiotic associations of hyperiid amphipods (Peracarida) with gelatinous zooplankton in deep waters off California. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 95(3): 503-511. doi.org/10.1017/S0025315414001416
​​Haddock, S.H.D. and J.F. Case (1999). Bioluminescence spectra of shallow and deep-sea gelatinous zooplankton: Ctenophores, medusae and siphonophores. Marine Biology, 133: 571-582. doi.org/10.1007/s002270050497
Hetherington, E.D., A. Damian-Serrano, S.H.D. Haddock, C.W. Dunn, and C.A. Choy (2022). Integrating siphonophores into marine food-web ecology. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 7: 81-95. doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10235
Siebert, S., P.R. Pugh, S.H.D. Haddock, and C.W. Dunn (2013). Re-evaluation of characters in Apolemiidae (Siphonophora), with description of two new species from Monterey Bay, California. Zootaxa, 3702 (3): 201-232. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3702.3.1

[@arliafrink3043]

Huge high five to the ROV operators that captured this footage! Never thought I'd see that close to something so delicate! Absolutely amazing!🤯🤯

[@jdanielortega]

I still can't fathom that this creature exists, is alive, and I share a planet with it.

[@nevereverforever0010-uf9su]

bahahhahahhhahahhahahhaa HUMBLIN eh ahah

[@kij7412]

Thats how far away from nature humanity got...

[@carlmorton9160]

@@kij7412 Before we could even see most of it

[@Lolmanworld]

It’s not a colonial organism or a singular organism it’s both

[@arlenehotep381]

This looks like something from my sci-fi movies. Awesome. Kudos to the scientist this should be broadcasted on regular tv.

[@ella.r]

It’s my DREAM to research siphonophores as a career. This is amazing.

[@chelseafisher6881]

Cool, I love that you’re so interested in something that not on my radar! I really hope you live your dream!

[@bhasty1]

These videos never cease to amaze me.

[@nevereverforever0010-uf9su]

its soooo beautiful i looooove the sea

[@nooneofnote8453]

Me and a few thousand of my buddies just hanging out and becoming Long to eat whatever comes our way

[@chase_modugno]

Funny how we're all interested in finding aliens in space when we haven't even found all the creatures in the sea yet

[@JerusalemCome]

Space is a distrcation. there will be no leaving the earth, because of the firmament. whats behind the Firmament is another dimension, which the human mind can not process.

[@thequietkid5212]

I mean true. But people love to meet another intelligent life.

[@electrominded8372]

Most are more afraid of the deep ocean than the vastness of space.

[@a.s.konttinen]

Agreed. I've always found the deep sea/the lifeforms that populate it more interesting. Partially just because it feels so much more "closer to home". (And literally is.) ✌️

[@youbigtubership]

How do you know these aren't intelligent?​@@thequietkid5212

[@boundsgreenboy8354]

Just love the beautiful intricacies and make up of these fascinating creatures. God bless you all at MBARI and beyond. 👌

[@arlenehotep381]

Awesome. Kudos to the scientist. This should be broadcast on regular tv. Lets preserve the Earth.

[@ZadakLeader]

Yet again, oceans more interesting than space

[@andrewkelley9405]

sea floofs.

[@callunas]

I'm irrationally terrified of siphonophores... they're just so *stringy*

[@geocelta1961]

It isn't irrational to me..they sting anything to death that touches them then slowly dissolve and eat them. If they were harmless, sure, they'd be pretty cool, but they most certainly are not lol

[@thechosenone5644]

new siphonophore just dropped let’s goooooooo

[@marquibalbuena3624]

This and the climate change update

[@arminiuscherusci4410]

@@marquibalbuena3624at least we got a new siphonophores patch

[@master_shorts6188]

Thank you for this channel ❤❤❤

[@rhondahuggins9542]

Oh come on...yall know that a fat scrap of yarn can't just become self-aware😉❤ These magnificent creatures put our social cooperation to shame! Thanks, MBARI💙

[@TrevorLaVigne]

2:16 is crazy. Never heard someone describe cannibalism in such a happy tone

[@timohara7717]

I mena they don't really care when it happens

[@sugreev2001]

Can you please tell me the name of the music/song used in the background? Love your channel. Long time subscriber.

[@pimpozza]

Siphonophores are mesmerising and utterly fascinating.. 💚

[@tichu7]

With only a way to propel themselves forwards, and only at the front end, I'm surprised not more of these are tied up in knots.

[@timohara7717]

Even if they do they can just break

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Heh heh

[@thebraveomar7780]

I m so proud to watch this channel 🎇✨✨

[@jlioncrew1334]

The Woolly Siphonophore is my favourite Jellyfish

[@wildfornature_]

What's that glowing creature that passed by in front of the camera at 2:08?

[@toastedwatermeln]

good question

[@constantinpaduraru6875]

Faceti o treaba excelenta❤

[@SalamaSond]

Do they recombine after they are severed? How do they reproduce? Do they simply replace parts until the organism is composed of entirely different parts, like a "Ship of Theseus"?

[@MBARIvideo]

After they break apart, only the "head"-the swimming end-can replicate. The "tail" would begin to sink and, most likely become food for another deep-sea animal!

[@bezoticallyyours83]

​@@MBARIvideothat's very interesting

[@MCNarret]

People not understanding there are oceans in space, we're in space.

[@TestUser-m1z]

I loved the game *flOw* because it was like getting to pretend to be a siphonophore

[@m3l_o]

they do look like a sponge actually, but uet i love deep sea animals so much.

[@creamycold1681]

That thing was created amazingly

[@prestonmagley4572]

I hope people find all these crazy things before they're gone

[@sonalmundhra248]

This is fascinating.

[@merlim5494]

Thank you for sharing

[@pocketsnacks]

This is amazing!

[@LimousGuyMemory]

Cool animals

[@marcsaturnino1041]

The more we learn about oceans the more alien life other words seems completely possible.

[@gibbons9599]

Friends doing their best

[@coastaltechnologies2329]

can you please release more longform footage? all these videos are 3 minutes

[@xtieburn]

How does it avoid eating itself?

[@ThevinKothalawala-wo3pd]

Great they have fur now

[@bmolitor615]

I said to myself DONT CLICK DONT CLIK OMG LOOOK AT THAT THING SO CREEEEPY, and I clicked and it was beautiful

[@familysystem]

I LOVE THIS FUCKING THANG!

[@Tennisball999]

“The source of all living matter”

[@TechGamesAU]

Isn't 1,000m depth where the bathypelagic zone begins? Why do you call it the midnight zone?

[@SomeGuy-fl4zv]

Its dark.

[@SomeGuy-fl4zv]

No more sunlight at that level.

[@Apolemia]

SIPHONOPHORE LETS GOOO

[@AreHan1991]

Trippy!

[@LaidBackGolf]

well guess i'm not swiming in ocean anymore

[@jordache409]

its like a disembodied G.I. system turned inside out.

[@warcatbattalion]

Another Crab's Treasure

[@Shaze339]

"To all subjects of ymir, My name is Eren Yeager. I'm using the power of the Founding titan to address all subject of ymir"

[@Renee-c4c]

It does

[@ellenlandowski1659]

How do such delicatecanimals live at such intense water pressures.

[@SomeGuy-fl4zv]

Google it instead of commenting the question lol.

[@FaithG-s1f]

Only delicate animals can exist at those depths. Bones and brains and organs and veins and any forms of complex muscles or birthing processes would be smothered and crushed beyond use.

[@cherokeeschill]

Siphonophore. It's a siphonophore.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Wow

[@blubastud]

2:08 nobody going to say anything about the ufo floating across the screen here?

[@Abdullah12689]

سبحان الله

[@Lyons_T-BAG]

I can't imagine how beautiful this would taste. 😍

[@SomeGuy-fl4zv]

You would die if you tried, rightfully so.

[@FaithG-s1f]

Yall ob3se m@les cant think of much else, can yah? Oink oink oink oink oink

[@FaithG-s1f]

Yall ob3se m@les cant think of much else, can yah? Oink oink oink oink oink

[@Aninat0R]

This makes me uncomfortable

[@JOEYDEEZ369]

Weird on wonderful… aka WOW…. but still ewwwwww & gross all the same hahahah… all beings are useful on this strangely odd planet !! Thank you Ciao;)

[@loercayt6146]

C A R B O N B A S E D O R G A N I S M

[@pharossymphony]

did you say 'fishes' ?

[@MBARIvideo]

In biology, there are two different ways to pluralize fish. We use the plural fish to refer to a group of fish of the same species. However, when referring to multiple species of fish, we use fishes. The same is true for squid and squids!

[@FaithG-s1f]

"The plural of fish is usually fish. When referring to more than one species of fish, especially in a scientific context, you can use fishes as the plural." Youre not as smart as mommy said you were. Grow up.

[@jipes]

FAscinating

[@skullyinc.]

Now someone draw it as a Hot anime woman

[@Onauntedw]

Not creature,IT is society?

[@AndrewK209]

Fishes

[@FaithG-s1f]

"The plural of fish is usually fish. When referring to more than one species of fish, especially in a scientific context, you can use fishes as the plural." Sorry, youre the only one that thinks youre intelligent.

[@megatherion2695]

En octopoose ken faurt weeth eets teath

[@blairhenderson6019]

The POLYPS

[@catherinehubbard1167]

So alien, like something evolving on another planet. Yet their core biology, like DNA bases and amino acids and protein synthesis are like ours.

[@FaithG-s1f]

Not even a tiny bit like an alien, since this is one of the first types of complex life on earth. That means we humans and animals are more new and alien than they are. Earth life all began with strange little swimming things that feed on radiation and toxic chemicals that leak from the earths molten core. Only VERY recently in evolution did things start becoming "like us".

[@loralii]

😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@shannonmoorhouse9084]

10000000000000000000000000000000000000 FT

[@sef2273]

2:20 did she say fishes

[@FaithG-s1f]

"The plural of fish is usually fish. When referring to more than one species of fish, especially in a scientific context, you can use fishes as the plural." Stop pretending youre intelligent and be quiet.

[@ourcommonancestry6025]

Great intro but then came the guilt preaching... Man made global warming... Ffs

[@FaithG-s1f]

Sh, your awtism is showing.

[@ourcommonancestry6025]

@@FaithG-s1f Next video.. evolution i bet.

[@FaithG-s1f]

@@ourcommonancestry6025 lol i hope so. I like educational videos.

[@uppityglivestockian]

Half an upvote for the video and info, half a downvote for tHe CLimAte cHaNgE Message from On High. We get it, you want to go back to human sacrifices. I'm not lining up for it. No.

[@andrear.5296]

If you don't believe in science, then why are you here?

[@uppityglivestockian]

​@@andrear.5296 MBARI does science, Climate Change is a scam with guessing sold as "facts." So, ask yourself your own question, gullible geek.

[@rremmy72]

@@andrear.5296 because it's propaganda , not science

[@andrear.5296]

@@rremmy72 All the clichés about Americans are true. The bad thing: Unfortunately, it also spills over across the big pond. Bitter.

[@meneerdepeer1603]

​@@andrear.5296where are you from. Im from Holland and are happy to enlighten you about this subject ;)

[@Insultontop]

People who cam from @idksterling 👇

[@tracycroll4325]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphonophorae