Haliclystus stejnegeri Kishinouye, 1899

Common name(s): Stalked jellyfish
Synonyms:
 Haliclystus auricula
 Haliclystus sanjuanensis
Phylum Cnidaria
 Class Scyphozoa
  Order Stauromedusae
   Family Haliclystidae
Haliclystus stejnegeri attached to a red algal blade
(Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2004)
Description:  This small attached jellyfish has 8 well-developed marginal lobes tipped with clusters of tentacles.  The marginal anchors between the tentacle clusters are egg-shaped, not expanding into broad cups, and with inconspicuous stalks.  Gonads nearly reach to the ends of the lobes (not easily seen).  Total length up to 2.5 cm. Variable in color, from yellowish to orange, olive green, or reddish brown.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species:   Haliclystus salpinx has broad trumpet-shaped anchors with conspicuous stalks, and its gonads extend into the lobes for only about half their length.

Geographical Range: Alaska to Puget Sound; Japan

Depth Range:  Low intertidal and subtidal

Habitat:  Usually found on blades of kelp or eelgrass.

Biology/Natural History:  Feeds on small crustaceans.  Eaten by Calliostoma annulatum snail.  This animal is a true medusa (jellyfish).  It can glide along on the base of the stalk (which is the center of the exumbrella), contract the stalk or fold the calyx of the umbrella.  If it becomes detached it clings to the substrate with the tentacles until the disk can reattach.  It is not a good swimmer.  Spawns in the summer in the San Juans, producing tiny 35 micron eggs.  Eggs develop into a creeping, non-ciliated, wormlike larva which settles after a few days and develops its first nematocysts within a week.  Juveniles may be able to encyst and overwinter.


 
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References:
Dichotomous Keys:

Kozloff 1987, 1996

General References:
Kozloff, 1993
O'Clair and O'Clair, 1998

Scientific Articles:
 


General Notes and Observations:  Locations, abundances, unusual behaviors:
 


Authors and Editors of Page:
Dave Cowles (2004):  Created original page