Aurelia labiata

Aurelia labiata is a species of moon jellyfish. It is a cnidarian in the family Ulmaridae.^[1] It is typically larger than Aurelia aurita,^[2] with individuals document up to 45 cm (18 in).^[3] However, much of its size range overlaps with A. aurita (up to 40 cm (16 in)), making size an imperfect diagnostic tool. Most Aurelia labiata have a 16-scalloped bell, meaning the bell indents inward at 16 points, a characteristic that also appears in other Aurelia species.^[4][5] Aurelia labiata occurs in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, from the northern coast of California, north to Canada and into Alaska^[5].

Moon Jelly at Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, USA

Aurelia labiata
Aurelia labiata at the Vienna Zoo
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Scyphozoa
Order:	Semaeostomeae
Family:	Ulmaridae
Genus:	Aurelia
Species:	A. labiata
Binomial name
Aurelia labiata Linnaeus, 1758

Aurelia labiata in the Vienna Zoo

Behavior

The Aurelia labiata have adaptive behaviors that include directional and vertical swimming. Directional swimming helps them escape from predators, approach to a food source, and swim through turbulence. Vertical swimming allows them to avoid rocky walls and low salinity. These behaviors come from their sensory receptors and nervous system that allows better mobility for their survival.^[6]

Predators

Aurelia labiata are fed upon by other cnidarians such as Phacellophora camtschatica and Cyanea capillata. Like many jellyfish, they are also consumed by sea turtles which are immune to their stings.^[7]