Nausithoe picta Agassiz & Mayer, 1902

Molinari, Clarissa G., Collins, Allen G. & Morandini, André C., 2023, A morphological review of the jellyfish genus Nausithoe Kölliker, 1853 (Nausithoideae, Coronatae, Scyphozoa, Cnidaria), Zootaxa 5336 (1), pp. 1-32 : 15

Nausithoe picta Agassiz & Mayer, 1902

( Fig. 10 )

Nausithoe picta Agassiz & Mayer, 1902 :

Holotype not known, possibly not extant.

Material examined: ZMA2048 (8 specimens from Indonesia, Maluku, no information on depth) and photo from underwater photographer, Fabien Michenet ( Tahiti , depth: 20m) .

Diagnosis: medusa—hypodome with transparent umbrella and blue gastric filaments.

Description: Based on original description and Mayer (1910). Medusae 15–22 mm in diameter; smooth transparent umbrella; marginal lappets as long as wide, with rounded edges; tentacles length equal to bell radius; 4 groups of about 12 blue gastric filaments each; large brown gonads; rhopalia with brown ocellus.

Type locality: Rangiora Island, French Polynesia (near surface).

Distribution: French Polynesia and Central E Pacific Ocean.

Remarks: The morphology of this species resembles that of N. clausi and N. punctata , except for the blue gastric filaments, rendering this as the only feature that distinguishes the medusa of N. picta .

Figures

FIGURE 10. Nausithoe picta. A—Original illustration by Agassiz & Mayer 1902. B—Adult medusae from the coast of Tahiti (photo: © Fabien Michenet 2012). C, D, E and F: ZMA2048. C—aboral view of the gastrovascular cavity showing the gastric filaments (gf). D—Lateral view of medusa showing the gonads (g) and rhopalium (rh). E—Oral view of medusa emphasizing the mouth (m) and manubrium. F—Lateral view of three adult medusae from the museum collection.