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13132572. Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis, with one Man-of-war fish
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13132572. Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis, with one Man-of-war fish
Portuguese man o war, Physalia physalis, with one Man-of-war fish (Nomeus gronovii). The gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, remains at the surface, while the remainder is submerged. Portuguese man o war have no means of propulsion, and move passively driven by the winds, currents, and tides. Strong winds may drive them into bays or onto beaches. Often, finding a single Portuguese man o war is followed by finding many others in the vicinity. Because they can sting while beached, the discovery of a man o war washed up on a beach may lead to the closure of the beach. Stings from a Portuguese man o war are often extremely painful. They result in severe dermatitis characterized by long, thin, open wounds that resemble those caused by a whip. These are not caused by any impact or cutting action, but by irritating urticariogenic substances in the tentacles. Using its venomous tentacles, a man o war traps and paralyzes its prey while reeling it inwards to the digestive polyps. It typically feeds on small marine organisms, such as fish and plankton. It is notable for Nomeus gronovii to live within the deadly tentacles of a siphonophore, the Portuguese man o war, upon whose tentacles and gonads it feeds. Azores, Portugal Date
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Colonial Commensal Commensalism Copy Dangerous Jellyfish Jellyfishes Poisonous Portuguese Space Sting Tentacles Venomous Vertical Physalia Physalis Siphonophore
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Caught in a Sticky Situation - A Portuguese Man o' War and its Unlikely Sidekick
EDITORS COMMENTS
. In this photo print, we witness an extraordinary partnership between two ocean dwellers. The Portuguese man o' war, with its vibrant blue gas-filled bladder floating on the surface, is accompanied by a fearless companion - the Man-of-war fish. While the majestic Physalia physalis drifts aimlessly with the winds and currents, its lack of propulsion doesn't hinder it from attracting attention. Often found in groups, these creatures can unexpectedly wash up on beaches, causing beach closures due to their painful stings. Speaking of stings, encountering one of these beauties can be quite an unforgettable experience. Their venomous tentacles deliver excruciating pain and leave whip-like marks resembling long open wounds. It's no wonder they are feared by many! But amidst all this danger lies Nomeus gronovii – a small fish that calls the man o' war's tentacles home sweet home! This brave little creature feeds off both the tentacles and gonads of its deadly host without being harmed. This remarkable snapshot was taken in Azores, Portugal – capturing nature's intricate relationships at play beneath the waves. So next time you're at the beach and spot a washed-up Portuguese man o' war or glimpse one gliding gracefully through azure waters, remember to admire their beauty from afar!
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