Jellyfish

About this book

Jellyfish are, like the mythical Medusa, both beautiful and potentially dangerous. Found from pole to tropic, these mesmeric creatures form an important part of the sea's plankton and vary in size from the gigantic to the minute. Perceived as alien creatures and seen as best avoided, jellyfish nevertheless have the power to fascinate: with the sheer beauty of their translucent bells and long, trailing tentacles; with a mouth that doubles as an anus; and without a head or brain.

Drawing upon myth and historical sources as well as modern scientific advances, Jellyfish examines our ambiguous relationship with these ancient and yet ill-understood animals, describing their surprisingly complex anatomy, weaponry and habits, and their vital contribution to the ocean's ecosystem.

Contents

Introduction

1 A Lineage of Uncertainty
2 Toxic but Fascinating
3 Floats, Eyes and Combs
4 The Illustrator’s Nightmare
5 Jellyfish Culture
6 Light, Death and Immortality
7 World Domination

Timeline
Appendix 1: A Brief Description of Individual Species of Jellyfish Mentioned in the Text
Appendix 2: Where to see Jellyfish in Captivity
References
Select Bibliography
Associations, Websites and Apps
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Peter Williams, who lives in Oxford, has a life-long interest in natural history and the contribution animals make to our culture. He is author of Snail (2009) in the Animal series.