What is the purpose of jellyfish?

Question

Probably the only animal I dislike. Why are they here? What's their purpose in our oceans?

Answer 1

Jellyfish float.
Floatation is groovy.
Ask a jellyfish, he'll tell you that.

Answer 2

I think jellyfish are supposed to be food for certain animals like the leatherback sea turtle and other magificient animals that would not be able to eat if it weren't for the jellyfish. They also keep down the numbers of small fish that would undergo a population explosion, eat everything, then suffer a population collapse if it weren't for the jellyfish. Some moon jellies can look quite beautiful from the safety of a boat with the moonlight dancing through their translucent bodies.

Answer 3

I will have to ask a philosopher the meaning of purpose?

I usually say Jellyfish just IS.

Programmed to replicate (sexually reproduce, most jellyfish? but not all cnidarians ???). Is that the same as purpose?

Occasionally, there are dogmatists that maintain that everything must have a purpose. I do not assume this, so it does enter my thought frame. Think of a reason why something exists? Man gave names to all the animals, even those slithering in the grass down by the lake ....

Answer 4

G'day ozrules07,

Like other creatures, jellyfish evolved over time and are part of the ocean's ecology. They are a popular dish in China. Of 2,000 species, only 70 have a sting that can harm humans.

Jellyfish are marine invertebrates belonging to the Scyphozoan class, and in turn the phylum Cnidaria. The body of an adult jellyfish is composed of a bell-shaped, jellylike substance enclosing its internal structure, from which the creature's tentacles suspend. Each tentacle is covered with stinging cells (cnidocytes) that can sting or kill other animals: most jellyfish use them to secure prey or as a defense mechanism. Others, such as Rhizostomae, do not have tentacles at all. To compensate for its lack of basic sensory organs and a brain, the jellyfish exploits its nervous system and rhopalia to perceive stimuli, such as light or odor, and orchestrate expedient responses. In its adult form, it is composed of 94-98% water and can be found in every pelagic area of the world.

Most jellyfish are passive drifters that feed on small fish and zooplankton that become caught in their tentacles. Jellyfish have an incomplete digestive system, meaning that the same orifice is used for both food intake and waste expulsion. They are made up of a layer of epidermis, gastrodermis, and a thick jellylike layer called mesoglea that separates the epidermis from the gastrodermis.

Sliced and marinated jellyfish bells (often known as sesame jellyfish or jellyfish salad) is a common appetizer in Chinese cuisine. It is usually made using sesame seeds, sesame oil and, occasionally, spring onion. A similar dish appears in Vietnam, with red chilli pepper added. Korean version of the dish, haepari naengchae (cold jellyfish salad), is a summertime delicacy in the country, and is usually served with sweet and sour seasoning with mustard.

Packages or slabs of jellyfish bells (Chinese: 海蜇皮; pinyin: hǎizhépí) can be bought at chinese grocerers in a salted and semi-desiccated form, which is usually yellow or pinkish-yellow in colour. The salted jellyfish does not have any fishy or unpleasant odours.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 5

I agree with wacky racer: Turtles eat jellyfish and keep their number low. On the Mediterranean sea, there are more and more jellyfish because more and more turtles are killed, and their eggs are killed.

I think we should blame human beings for the rising number of jellyfish on this planet.

But I agree, I hate them as well. there's nothing worse than going on holiday somewhere and not be able to swim because of jellyfish.

Answer 6

The purpose of jellyfish is to replicate jellyfish genes.

Answer 7

To keep the sea turtles alive and living, it is their favorite food and sometimes they have mistaken plastics floating as jellyfish and died for it.

We need turtles to control jellyfish and check of their populations or else earth will be overwhelmed by jellyfish.

Answer 8

What's your purpose?
Jellyfish eat small creatures.

Answer 9

The same purpose as all animals - to make more of their own kind. What is your purpose?

Answer 10

I think God was kinda experimenting on the wild side on that one..... They are a goofy bit of nature. I don't get Giraffes, Squid or Swordfish either. Pretty fish, love to catch one, but whats the deal with the pointy beak?