STAUROMEDUSAE UK

An online guide to the Stalked jellyfish (Stauromedusae) found
around the coastal waters of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Includes notes on their identification, and where and how to find them.

There are ten species of stalked jellyfish found in UK waters.

Craterolophus convolvulus - Goblet stalked jellyfish (US)
Depastrum cyathiforme
Haliclystus auricula - Kaleidoscope jellyfish
Haliclystus octoradiatus - Spotted kaleidoscope jellyfish
Haliclystus salpinx
Lucernaria bathyphila
Lucernaria quadricornis - Horned stalked jellyfish (US)
Calvadosia campanulata
Calvadosia cruxmelitensis - St. John's stalked jellyfish
Stylocoronella variabilis

The ten species here are representatives of four families; Craterolophidae (Craterolophus), Depastridae (Depastrum), Kishinouyeidae (Lucernariopsis) and Lucernariidae (Haliclystus, Lucernaria and Stylocoronella).

Of the species mentioned above the most likely species people are likely to come across is Haliclystus octoradiatus, which has a fairly widespread distribution in the UK. The next most likely species people will come across are Calvadosia campanulata and Craterolophus convolvulus. Calvadosia cruxmelitensis is locally frequent in the South-west and also occurs in the Channel Islands. Lucernaria quadricornis is possibly a more northern species in the UK, but has been recorded from the Isles of Scilly. Strangely, there do not appear to be any records for Cornwall. Depastrum cyathiforme and Haliclystus auricula are probably widespread, but rare; possibly rarer still is Haliclystus salpinx, which has only been recorded once in UK waters, at Wifie Geo, John O' Groats, Scotland, in 2009.

Of the ten, four species are protected by Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP), Haliclystus auricula including Haliclystus octoradiatus, Calvadosia campanulata and Calvadosia cruxmelitensis.

Larger images for printing

Guide to compare the four most common species of stauromedusae / Stalked jellyfish found around the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. Calvadosia campanulata, Calvadosia cruxmelitensis, Haliclystus octoradiatus and Craterolophus convolvulus. (jpg file, 200Kb).

A basic key to assist with the field identification of stauromedusae found around the coast of the UK
(jpg file, 274Kb).

Images above are ©David Fenwick and may only be used for non-commercial / personal purposes.