A species of jellyfish not seen for more than a century has surfaced off the Australian Sunshine Coast, and is now being studied at the soon-to-be new Sea Life centre in Mooloolaba.
The incredibly rare Crambione Cookii was last seen by American scientist Alfred Gainsborough Mayor off Cookstown, Queensland in 1910.
His detailed sketch was until now the only record in existence, and helped jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, of the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Service, confirm identity.
Ironically, it was another jellyfish specialist, aquarist Puk Scivyer, who chanced upon the animal while releasing a rescued sea turtle.
Puk had been recruited by the Sea Life network to take charge of a new jellyfish exhibit planned at UnderWater World aquarium in Molooloba, which will be re-launched as Sea Life, Molooloba next month after a $6.5 million redevelopment.
“As soon as I saw it I realised it was a species I’d never seen before,” said Puk, “but to then discover I was the first person to see this species in over a hundred years was just incredible.”
The Crambione Cookii will not appear in the new exhibit, but will be observed closely behind the scenes to learn as much as possible about it and afterwards donated to the Queensland Museum.
Nothing is known about the species, and marine scientists are baffled as to how it could have evaded notice for more than a century…but Sea Life aquarists will now be on the look-out for more whenever they venture off-shore.
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