Head to head
Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly vs Comb Jelly
The bloody-belly comb jelly is one striking deep-sea member of the broader comb jelly group, which spans a range of shapes, sizes, and habitats.
| Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly | Comb Jelly | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lampocteis cruentiventer | Pleurobrachia pileus |
| Distinctive colour | Deep red stomach | Transparent body |
| Habitat | Deep ocean off California | Ocean, widespread |
| Purpose of colouring | Conceals bioluminescent prey glow | None comparable |
| Size range across the group | One specific deep-sea species | Millimetres to 1.5 metres across the group |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Population trend | Stable | Unknown |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly vs Comb Jelly: common questions
Is the bloody-belly comb jelly the same kind of animal as other comb jellies?
Yes, the bloody-belly comb jelly belongs to the same broader ctenophore group as other comb jellies, sharing the same sticky, non-stinging prey-capture cells, though it has a distinctive deep red stomach not seen in more commonly known shallow-water species.
Why does the bloody-belly comb jelly have a red stomach, unlike other comb jellies?
This deep-red pigmentation is thought to help conceal the bioluminescent glow of swallowed prey, since red light does not travel far or reflect well in deep water, an adaptation specific to its deep-sea habitat rather than a trait shared broadly across shallower comb jelly species.
How big can comb jellies get compared to the bloody-belly comb jelly?
Comb jellies as a group range enormously in size, from tiny species just millimetres across to the 1.5-metre ribbon-like Venus's girdle, a much wider size range than the specific, moderately sized bloody-belly comb jelly represents on its own.