Global InformationTurritopsis rubra information
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2023) |
| Turritopsis rubra | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Anthoathecata |
| Family: | Oceaniidae |
| Genus: | Turritopsis |
| Species: | T. rubra
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| Binomial name | |
| Turritopsis rubra (Farquhar, 1895)
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Turritopsis rubra, commonly referred to as the Crimson Jelly, is a hydrozoan within the family Oceaniidae. The species is native to New Zealand and southern Australia, typically appearing near shorelines in the summer months (December - March). The species follows a distribution pattern across the southern Pacific Ocean and can frequently be found in shallow coastal waters.
The bell of the Crimson Jelly is transparent which allows for the bright red stomach and gonads to be visible from the outside. This gives the appearance of a bright red creature in clear water which has deemed the name "Crimson Jelly". The jellyfish has tentacles attached at the end of the bell margin that can be used for defense and hunting. The tentacles are used to sting and catch prey but are harmless to humans as they are too small to sting larger creatures. The creature is very tiny, being less than an inch in size and has the ability to sting but does not produce a poisonous mark.
It is closely related to Turritopsis dohrnii, commonly known as the immortal jellyfish, which is biologically immortal, being able to revert its life cycle to avoid death. Research has not yet confirmed if the Crimson Jellyfish has the same ability, but researchers[who?] believe it may be a possibility. The Turritopsis genus was noted in the late 1850s, but the individual species Turritopsis rubra was officially phylogenetically traced and identified in 2022 by biologist Andrew Esber at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. It has no vertebrae because it is a spineless animal.