You will be surprised by the special appearance that is both lovely and scary of sea creatures: pig-billed squid, velella jellyfish... When we think of the ocean, we often picture creatures like whales, dolphins or other ordinary animals. However, the vast ocean contains many interesting things that we have not yet discovered. Besides the bewitchingly beautiful creatures, there are also animals with scary shapes. Each species has many unique characteristics that make the sea a subject of interest to biologists as well as explorers. Here are some sea creatures that you probably never knew about.
1. Pig beak squid
Pig-billed squid is a small squid of the genus Helicocranchia, which lives near the ocean's surface at depths of 100-200m. The average size of an adult pig-billed squid is about 100mm.
Their body is composed of a large funnel with fins that function as small paddles. In addition, above the eyes of this squid, there are small tentacles resembling curls.
Adult squids during sexual intercourse will lose some of their tentacles and gradually turn red. In its large funnel - or body itself, there is a cushion-like spine.
The three raised papillae are the internal organs. Besides, the pig's beak squid also has a luminous organ behind its big eyes, which helps to move smoothly in dark conditions like a button jar.
Currently, scientists are continuing to learn more about this lovely shaped squid. The most special thing that makes pig-beak squid different from other squids is that they swim when their body is upside down.
2. Pyura chilensis
Pyura chilensis is a marine shellfish discovered by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782. They belong to the class Ascidiacea - invertebrates and do not move.
P.chilensis wears a thick shell made of cellulose - a solid molecular matrix structure that allows them to attach their organs to the inner surface.
But not only the rough shell, the inner part of this armor is also padded with a layer of cuticle and muscles. The main part of P.chilensis is in the innermost part.
P.chilensis is commonly found on low-tide elevations in Chile and Peru. Their bodies have 2 siphons connected to the external marine environment, one for inhalation and one for exhalation.
They absorb food by inhaling water, filter out edible microalgae through the throat containing mucus, then breathe the water back into the sea with the remaining siphon.
P. chilensis is born as a male then becomes hermaphroditic at puberty and reproduces by throwing “clouds of sperm and eggs” into the surrounding waters.
If the egg-sperm collision is successful, the tadpole will emerge and eventually "settle" into a rock to develop into an adult.
The blood of P.chilensis is very pure but contains very high concentrations of the mysterious and rare chemical element called vanadium. This concentration can be 10 million times higher than that found in seawater.
However, the question of why and how this animal can accumulate such a large amount of vanadium has not been explained by any scientist.
On the beaches of Chile, P. chilensis is heavily fished and becomes a staple food. Fishermen often use a hand saw to cut P.chilensis into thin slices, then use their fingers to separate the flesh from the shell. Their meat can be sold fresh or canned for export.
3. Jellyfish velella
The velella jellyfish (scientific name is Velella Velella) is a genus of water hyacinth, living floating on the ocean surface. They also have other names such as "raft on the sea", "small sail" ...
An adult velella is no more than 7cm long, the body is usually dark green, transparent like a cellophane with a small hard sail at the top that helps it catch the wind and move on the surface of the sea.
Velella jellyfish are carnivores. They hunt plankton with their venomous tentacles. Although these poisons can harm prey, they have almost no effect on humans because they cannot pass through the skin.
Velella Velella inhabits warm and temperate waters in all oceans worldwide. It never touches or even gets close to the ocean floor, the only stage when Velella completely sinks into the water is the larval stage.
4. Christmas tree worm
This worm has the scientific name Spirobranchus giganteus, widely distributed throughout the tropical oceans of the world, from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific. They are often found "heading" into large coral reefs on the seafloor.
As the name suggests, the most noticeable feature of this worm is its two "crowns" like two Christmas trees. These pine trees are responsible for transporting any creatures stuck in them into the worm's mouth.
In addition, this is also their respiratory organ, working like "gills". Like other worms, Spirobranchus giganteus has a tubular body, surrounded by many hairs, and very small limbs that allow it to move on the reef.
However, this worm is very sedentary, meaning that once it has found a favorite spot, it won't move around much. When startled, these Christmas trees can also quickly retreat into the hollows of coral reefs to avoid danger.
