Pelagic Siphonophore
Marrus orthocanna
Marrus orthocanna is one of several deep sea siphonophores that have the same common name, pelagic siphonophore. Deep sea ocean explorers in manned submersibles have viewed this species at depths as deep as 2000 meters (6600 feet).
Like other siphonophores M. orthocanna is a colony of specialized individuals known as zooids that have different functions such as locomotion, capturing prey, waste removal, and reproduction. No matter what the function, all the zooids attached to the stem of a siphonophore are descended from one fertilized egg so all are genetically identical.
Pelagic siphinophores such as M. orthocanna are often called "superorganisms". Credit: Courtesy of NOAA National Marine Fisheries
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Pelagic Siphonophore
Marrus orthocanna
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
Geographic Distribution
Arctic Ocean, northwest Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, north Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat
Open ocean at depths of 200 to 800 m (660 to 2600 ft)
Physical Characteristics
This pelagic siphonophore has a typical siphonophore body, a long, thin, hollow stem to which the colony of zooids is attached. A gas-filled float, called a pneumatophore, is attached to the front end of the stem. Behind it in a region called the nectosome, are medusae specialized for locomotion. These medusae are called nectophores. Behind the nectophores is an area called the siphosome which has all of the remaining zooids of the colony. Feeding polyps, each with a single tentacle nourish the entire colony. Other zooids are responsible for reproduction. Scientists believe that another type of polyps called palpons may be responsible for waste removal and possibly for defense although these functions have never been observed. The different types of zooids in the siphosome are arranged in a repetitive pattern on each side of the stem that is specific for the species. For example, M. orthocanna’s pattern is different that of all other pelagic siphonophore species.
M. orthocanna’s pneumatophore is red; nectophores transparent with bright red canals; rest of body structures are transparent with some red/orange coloration in in different hues on different parts of the body.
Size
1.8-2 m (6-7 ft) in length
Early in development two growth zones form on the young stem where the stem will elongate and new zooids form. Nectaphores form at the zone near the pneumatophore. The second growth zone is just below the oldest nectaphore. The zooids of the siphosome that carry out functions other than locomotion are formed here. As the stem elongates, new growth in both zones is carried downward.
Diet
M. orthocanna moves forward intermittently. It pauses to put out its “fishing” curtain of tentacles in front of the body stem of the siphonophore to ensnare passing prey. Each polyp has a single tentacle that is 30 to 50 cm (11.8 to 20 in) long. On contact stinging cells (nematocysts) shoot “harpoons” of toxin into the victim that paralyze and even kill it. The meal is then transferred to the canals that carry it to the entire colony.
All siphonophores are predatory carnivores. This species is believed to feed on copepods, and other small crustaceans such as decapods, krill, and mysids. Small fish may also be eaten.
Reproduction
The pelagic siphonophore colony develops from a single fertilized egg. The egg becomes a protozooid that buds to form the different structures with their different functions. Polyps of some siphonophores become reproductive cells that contain sperm or eggs. Some species have both types of reproductive cells, while others have only male or female reproductive functions. In some species assemblies of different polyp types, including reproductive polyps, are released from the end of the siphonophore where eggs or sperm are broadcast into the water column. External fertilization then takes place. It is not known which of these several reproduction methods M. orthocanna uses.
Behavior
Like most siphonophores, the pelagic siphonophore is an active swimmer. When its bell-shaped nectphoes contract, water is expelled causing the colony to move. The contractions of the medusa are coordinated which enables the animal to swim forwards, sideward, or backwards.
Adaptation
In spite of having a fragile gelatinous body, M. orthocanna has adapted to its harsh environment’s cold, extreme pressure and lack of food. This voracious predator capitalizes on its agile swimming ability and curtain of tentacles spreading widely to capture prey.
Conservation
Pelagic siphonophores have not been evaluated for conservation status. Deep sea dwellers, populations could be impacted by increasing pressures to mine the deep sea and to harvest marine life for seafood by deep sea trawling. Siphonophores could be caught as bycatch.
Special Notes
During World War II, submarine operators found that they could hide the submarine from the enemy’s sonar under large groups of siphonophores. The sonar waves were scattered by the soft bodies if the siphonophores.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Pelagic Siphonophore
Marrus orthocanna
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
Arctic Ocean, northwest Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, north Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea.
Open ocean at depths of 200 to 800 m (660 to 2600 ft)
This pelagic siphonophore has a typical siphonophore body, a long, thin, hollow stem to which the colony of zooids is attached. A gas-filled float, called a pneumatophore, is attached to the front end of the stem. Behind it in a region called the nectosome, are medusae specialized for locomotion. These medusae are called nectophores. Behind the nectophores is an area called the siphosome which has all of the remaining zooids of the colony. Feeding polyps, each with a single tentacle nourish the entire colony. Other zooids are responsible for reproduction. Scientists believe that another type of polyps called palpons may be responsible for waste removal and possibly for defense although these functions have never been observed. The different types of zooids in the siphosome are arranged in a repetitive pattern on each side of the stem that is specific for the species. For example, M. orthocanna’s pattern is different that of all other pelagic siphonophore species.
M. orthocanna’s pneumatophore is red; nectophores transparent with bright red canals; rest of body structures are transparent with some red/orange coloration in in different hues on different parts of the body.
1.8-2 m (6-7 ft) in length
Early in development two growth zones form on the young stem where the stem will elongate and new zooids form. Nectaphores form at the zone near the pneumatophore. The second growth zone is just below the oldest nectaphore. The zooids of the siphosome that carry out functions other than locomotion are formed here. As the stem elongates, new growth in both zones is carried downward.
M. orthocanna moves forward intermittently. It pauses to put out its “fishing” curtain of tentacles in front of the body stem of the siphonophore to ensnare passing prey. Each polyp has a single tentacle that is 30 to 50 cm (11.8 to 20 in) long. On contact stinging cells (nematocysts) shoot “harpoons” of toxin into the victim that paralyze and even kill it. The meal is then transferred to the canals that carry it to the entire colony.
All siphonophores are predatory carnivores. This species is believed to feed on copepods, and other small crustaceans such as decapods, krill, and mysids. Small fish may also be eaten.
The pelagic siphonophore colony develops from a single fertilized egg. The egg becomes a protozooid that buds to form the different structures with their different functions. Polyps of some siphonophores become reproductive cells that contain sperm or eggs. Some species have both types of reproductive cells, while others have only male or female reproductive functions. In some species assemblies of different polyp types, including reproductive polyps, are released from the end of the siphonophore where eggs or sperm are broadcast into the water column. External fertilization then takes place. It is not known which of these several reproduction methods M. orthocanna uses.
Like most siphonophores, the pelagic siphonophore is an active swimmer. When its bell-shaped nectphoes contract, water is expelled causing the colony to move. The contractions of the medusa are coordinated which enables the animal to swim forwards, sideward, or backwards.
In spite of having a fragile gelatinous body, M. orthocanna has adapted to its harsh environment’s cold, extreme pressure and lack of food. This voracious predator capitalizes on its agile swimming ability and curtain of tentacles spreading widely to capture prey.
Pelagic siphonophores have not been evaluated for conservation status. Deep sea dwellers, populations could be impacted by increasing pressures to mine the deep sea and to harvest marine life for seafood by deep sea trawling. Siphonophores could be caught as bycatch.
During World War II, submarine operators found that they could hide the submarine from the enemy’s sonar under large groups of siphonophores. The sonar waves were scattered by the soft bodies if the siphonophores.