Comb jellies were named for their comb-like cilia plates. Their scientific name is Phylum Ctenophora, from the Greek ktenos (comb) and phoros (bearing). Even though it is called a "comb jelly", it is not actually a jellyfish. It comes from the phylum Ctenophora whereas the jellyfish comes from the Cnidaria phylum.
Comb jellies are invertebrates and come in many different sizes and shapes. They can range in size from a few millimeters to two meters long. They are considered the prettiest jellyfish-type animals because of their iridescent flashing cilia plates. Some flash rainbow colors.
When comb jellies die, they decompose very quickly which means they don't affect the floor of the ocean as much as a larger species would. This is also because they float when they die.
Pollution affects comb jellies by changing the pH levels and temperature in the water forcing the jellies to adapt. They can adapt pretty well to the changing pH levels and temperature because they can be found and travel all over the world, so they are used to the differences in the water. The way pollution affects them, though, is by killing off their food sources (small fish, eggs, zooplankton, and other invertebrates).
Comb jellies are planktonic, meaning they depend on the ocean currents to travel long distances. They can, however, move up and down in the water due to their cilia.
WORKS CITED:
"ctenophore." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 28 Apr. 2011.
Mianzan, H. Phylum Ctenophora : comb jellies. Canterbury University Press : Christchurch, NZ, 2009. GeoRef In Process. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2011.
"Planktonic." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Apr. 2011.
Ramel, Gordon. "The Comb Jellies (Phylum Ctenophora)." The Earth Life Web. Web. 28 Apr. 2011.
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