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Physophora hydrostatica

March 18, 2010

Physophora hydrostatica, a siphonophore, is made up of multiple units, each specialized for a function like swimming, feeding, or reproduction. This “modular” construction allows some siphonophores to grow very large — over 100 feet long in the deep ocean.  This and other images taken by biologist Larry Madin are featured in the “Open Ocean Jellies” poster, available at the Ocean Science Exhibit Center. (Photo by Larry Madin, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)