Deep sea jellyfish like Stygiomedusa gigantea are crucial to understanding marine ecosystems.
As some of the largest invertebrate predators in the ocean, they help shape food webs in ways scientists are just beginning to understand. Jellyfish populations can reflect changes in ocean conditions, often thriving as climate change warms the seas and reduces oxygen levels.
Recent expeditions have brought in more data, images, and videos to help scientists better understand this elusive species. But much remains unknown, including how long they live, how they reproduce, and how abundant they are.
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