Periphyllopsis Crown Jelly (Periphyllopsis sp.)
Periphyllopsis are pink- or red-colored deep-sea Coronate (or "crown") jellyfish in the phylum Cnidaria. There are two species in the genus, but they have been rarely scientifically documented (fewer than 20 times!) because of the depths they inhabit. This one was encountered near Dymond Vent Field on Axial Seamount, at about 2000 meters water depth.
Coronate jellyfishes can be recognized by the deep groove running around the top of the bell (or umbrella), giving them a crownlike shape. They are known to produce bioluminescence in response to stimulus, emitting rapid pulses of light and sometimes expelling bioluminescent material into the water, either to dazzle predators or lure prey.
The seven-arm octopus, Haliphron atlanticus, has been observed preying on Periphyllopsis braueri.
References:
Wikipedia
WoRMS Taxonomic Database
MBARI personal communication (Matsumoto, G.)
