Drymonema larsoni, sometimes known as the Pink Meanie, is a huge pink jellyfish that scientists and beachgoers have discovered along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Recently, researchers from the Harte Research Institute in Corpus Christi noticed this uncommon monster near Port Aransas, Texas, which possesses cotton-candy-colored tentacles that can reach up to 20 meters.
Jace Tunnell, a marine biologist, discovered over a dozen specimens washed up on the sand and was among the first to report the sightings in late September. Some were still alive and consuming Aurelia aurita, also referred to as the moon jelly, their preferred prey.
A new and mysterious species
Despite its fantastic appearance, the Pink Meanie is a true species, although a young one according to science. This jellyfish, which was officially recognized in 2011, was first confused with the Mediterranean species Drymonema dalmatinum. But genetic testing conducted under Keith Bayha‘s direction revealed that it was entirely distinct and special enough to be a member of the Drymonematidae family.
Since then, it hasn’t been seen much, there have been reports in the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans, but most of them have taken place in the Gulf of Mexico. According to experts, their presence is directly related to the large number of Aurelia aurita, because Pink Meanies quickly appear where moon jellies do. “Where there are many moon jellies, the Pink Meanie won’t be far behind,” the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department clarified.
They use their long, sticky tentacles to immediately consume prey because they lack a stomach. According to the department’s senior scientist, Mark Fisher, a moon jelly can be “fully absorbed in less than three hours.”
Appearance and behavior
The Pink Meanie’s size and delicate pink hue immediately catch the eye. Their long, ribbon-like tentacles float beneath the water like silk strings, and adults can weigh up to 20 kg. They seem like enormous floating clouds of candy floss when they’re swimming. But once on the sand, they lose color and become ghostly and translucent.
Their sting is mild, described by Jace Tunnell, who has touched several with gloves, as a “gentle tingling.” Their defense mechanism isn’t made to attack large animals, but more like for precision, to trap and digest other jellyfish. Their strength is in size, mobility, and an the exceptional ability to sense nearby prey. These jellyfish may look intimidating, but they are not dangerous to humans.
The mystery of the Pink Meanie
Drymonema larsoni continues to be one of the ocean’s mysteries despite drawing attention wherever they go. Its lifetime, migration, and reproduction are still not known by scientists.
According to Mark Fisher, “We might be seeing just a small fraction of their actual population.” While some specialists believe they are just difficult to detect, others believe they reside deeper than other jellyfish. The Pink Meanie has only been known to scientists for a little more than ten years, not like other species that have been researched for decades.
Its return this year near the Texas coast, however, has been a gift to both ocean enthusiasts and researchers. “It’s similar to discovering a living fossil,” Jace Tunnell remarked. “A creature that appears to be from a different era — and from which we still have a lot to learn.”
The beauty of the ocean’s secrets
Researchers discover new mysteries of marine biology every year, including glowing fish, giant squids, color-shifting corals, and, now, jellyfish that look like something out of a dream.
In a world where so much seems to have been discovered already, it is comforting to know that the Gulf of Mexico still holds surprises that connect us to the wonder of the unknown, even though millions of land species have been documented.