(Courtesy of Jerry Prezioso)
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Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus) These small ctenophores have a transparent, spherical body containing eight iridescent rows of cilia. They grow up to 3/4" (2 cm) in diameter. The cilia in each row form a stack of combs, also called comb plates; they are used for locomotion. Each sea gooseberry had two fringed tentacles that hang lower than the body and trap food. These comb jellies are found near the ocean's surface and in shallow water. They are uncommon in coastal waters during the summer. They are only found in Narragansett Bay during the winter months. |