Marivagia Stellata

By Cody and Jeffrey

What is the Marivagia Stellata

∗ The Marivagia Stellata is a monotypic genus of

jellyfish. What does genus mean you may ask,
it means a class of jellyfish that is found in all
temperate and tropical seas around the world.
 Stinger

∗ This species is rare so far, and there is not much

information about its effect on humans. But it
has a very painful and toxic sting to other
marine animals. This is the only species of
jellyfish that doesn’t sting humans.
 How to Identify it

∗ The name of the species (Stellata) describes

star like reddish spots that looks like an
umbrella. It was recorded just from the Eastern
part of the Mediterranean Sea. But it might be
in other seas. The color of this jellyfish is a
blueish white on the outside with purple on the
inside of the jellyfish.
 Habitat

∗ The Marivagia Stellata was discovered in 2010

along the coasts of Israel by the marine
scientist Bella Galil. It comes from the Red Sea,
where it probably passed unobserved, and
entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Suez
Canal. So far the Marivagia Stellata is the only
species found in the Mediterranean sea. There
is no sunlight where they live so their tentacles
heat up and keep them warm.
 When Was It Born

∗ The Marivagia Stellata jellyfish was born in the

Phanerozoic eon, Paleozoic Era, and the
Cambrian Period. This jellyfish lived 500 million
years ago to 570 million years ago. They’re so
old that they lived before dinosaurs even
existed.
 What It Eats

∗ Marivagia Stellata consume small plants,

copepods, fish eggs, and other small fish
called larvae. They also eat planktonic eggs
tiny, floating sea animals like brine
shrimp, zooplankton, and crustaceans.
 Predators

∗ The predators of the Marivagia Stellata are

leatherback sea turtles, tuna fish, sharks,
swordfish, and any type of salmon. But the
main predator of jellyfish is other jellyfish.
 How They Reproduce

∗ Jellyfish reproduction involves several different

stages. They can reproduce sexually by
releasing sperms and eggs into the water,
forming a planula. They can last a few months
or years in the planula stage.
 Comparison

∗ Normal jellyfish stings are painful, most are not

emergencies though. But some are very
painful and dangerous such as the box jellyfish
or the Portuguese Man o’ War. But the
Marivagia Stellata is the only species that
doesn’t sting humans.
Why We Shouldn’t be Polluting

∗ Turtles think that plastic bags look like jellyfish,

so they eat them. But the plastic bags make it
hard for the turtles to digest things and they
end up choking and then dying.
 Fun Facts

∗ Another name for the Marivagia Stellata is sea-

star tramp.
∗ It is star-shaped with a diameter of 15 cm.
∗ It lays about 45,000 eggs a day!
∗ A Marivagia Stellata lives around 35 years.
The End ☺