''Nanomia bijuga'' is a species of
siphonophores
Siphonophorae (from Ancient Greek σίφων (siphōn), meaning "tube" and -φόρος (-phóros), meaning "bearing") is an Order (biology), order within Hydrozoa, a class of marine organisms within the phylum Cnidaria. According to the World Re ...
in the family
Agalmatidae
Agalmatidae, or Agalmidae, is a family of siphonophores.
Systematic list
*Genus '' Agalma'' Eschscholtz, 1825
**''Agalma clausi'' Bedot, 1888
**''Agalma elegans'' (Sars, 1846)
**''Agalma okenii'' Eschscholtz, 1825
* Genus '' Athorybia'' Eschscho ...
, a
colonial organism
In biology, a colony is composed of two or more conspecific individuals living in close association with, or connected to, one another. This association is usually for mutual benefit such as stronger defense or the ability to attack bigger pre ...
like other siphonophores, which possess specialized zooids such as the
jet-propulsive nectophores. They can be found in coastal and open-ocean environments in the
North Atlantic
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for ...
and
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...
s, occupying the
epipelagic
The photic zone (or euphotic zone, epipelagic zone, or sunlight zone) is the uppermost layer of a body of water that receives sunlight, allowing phytoplankton to perform photosynthesis. It undergoes a series of physical, chemical, and biological ...
and the
mesopelagic
The mesopelagic zone (Greek language, Greek μέσον, middle), also known as the middle pelagic or twilight zone, is the part of the pelagic zone that lies between the photic epipelagic and the aphotic bathypelagic zones. It is defined by light ...
zones of the ocean. ''N. bijuga'' participates in the
Diel Vertical Migration
Diel vertical migration (DVM), also known as diurnal vertical migration, is a pattern of movement used by some organisms, such as copepods, living in the ocean and in lakes. The adjective "diel" ( IPA: , ) comes from , and refers to a 24-hour ...
, moving up to the
epipelagic zone
The photic zone (or euphotic zone, epipelagic zone, or sunlight zone) is the uppermost layer of a body of water that receives sunlight, allowing phytoplankton to perform photosynthesis. It undergoes a series of physical, chemical, and biological ...
to feed on plankton at night and then back down to the
mesopelagic zone
The mesopelagic zone (Greek μέσον, middle), also known as the middle pelagic or twilight zone, is the part of the pelagic zone that lies between the photic epipelagic and the aphotic bathypelagic zones. It is defined by light, and begins ...
during the day.
Taxonomy
''Nanomia bijuga'' was first scientifically documented by the French zoologist Félix Dujardin in 1843.
Its initial description marked a significant milestone in the understanding of these colonial marine organisms, shedding light on their complex biology and ecological roles within oceanic ecosystems.
''N. bijuga'' was
described by Italian zoologist Stefano Delle Chiaje in 1844, as ''
Physsophora bijuga''.
Over time, advancements in genetic analyses, morphological studies, and classification methodologies have prompted revisions in the taxonomy and nomenclature of siphonophores, including ''Nanomia bijuga''.
These revisions reflect evolving understandings of their evolutionary relationships, genetic diversity, and ecological adaptations. Consequently, updates in nomenclature serve to refine our comprehension of the intricate relationships between species and their broader taxonomic contexts.
''Nanomia bijuga'' is closely related to other siphonophores in its genus, such as ''Nanomia cara'' and ''Nanomia gracilis''. These species share similarities in colonial structure and ecological niches.
Anatomy and morphology
''Nanomia bijuga'', like other siphonophores, is made up of genetically identical but highly specialized zooids, arranged in an elongate colony structure.
The zooids' functions encompass prey capture, propulsion, and reproduction, all orchestrated within a translucent or transparent body, aiding in camouflage amidst its oceanic habitat. The organism is composed of two main body segments: the