'Diver encounters a giant siphonophore while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea at night'

'This awe-inspiring footage highlights Forskalia edwardsi, a cool order of several small, predatory beings that thrive in colonies.

"This siphonophore is the coolest one we have encountered to date, simply due to the fact it was colossal, around three to five meters long," filmer and marine biologist, Alexander Semenov wrote. "Like other siphonophores, Forskalia consists of two parts: one provides movement, the other catches and digests food, glows, and reproduces."

He added: "The front part (nectosome) is arranged with numerous jellyfish domes (nectophores), which contract rapidly and drag the whole colony in the water column at a decent speed; the other part (siphosome) sticks out of the nectosome and is usually much longer, carries stinging tentacles, and helps with functioning."

Alexander also said that during the filming, numerous crustaceans and worms flew toward the camera lights and ended up becoming the food of the "happy siphonophores."

These stunning shots were captured on camera in the Mediterranean Sea.


Name: Alexander Semenov
Location: Ponza, Italy'
WooGlobe Ref : WGA974562
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