Last week in the lab, Angela and Pooja found a stalked jellyfish (Stauromedusae) while collecting algae on Dive Beach. These little creatures are relatively rare and are unique among jellyfish in that they attach to a rock or other piece of substrate with their stalk-like bases, remaining stationary for most of their adult lives. They’re very small (this one is less than one inch tall) and typically have eight tentacles connected by a thin webbing, which are attached to their base in a bell or inside-out umbrella shape. Individuals of the same stalked jelly species can be found in colors depending on what they attach themselves to — this one is red due to the burgundy piece of Devil’s Tongue seaweed we found it on! After everyone from the lab has had a chance to observe the jellyfish, we will likely donate it to the Ocean Genome Legacy Center at the MSC to have its DNA sequenced! If interested, you can learn more about the organization and its projects here.