Capture of the Coronate medusa Periphyllopsis braueri, by the Giant Seven-arm Octopus Haliphron atlanticus

Abstract

The Seven-arm Octopus, Haliphron atlanticus, was observed holding a coronate medusa, Periphyllopsis braueri, by the remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) Dolphin-3K. The jellyfish was held by the aboral surface within the arms of the octopus. Although obscured at first, the lappets and tentacles of the jellyfish became exposed as the octopus turned toward the ROV. Based on recent reports, it appears that gelatinous prey species are important components of the diet of Haliphron. Furthermore, gelatinous prey may be generally underappreciated as a food source and important trophic link in open-ocean, deep-sea, pelagic food webs.