Lampea (ctenophore)

Lampea is a genus of ctenophores, commonly known as comb jellies. These marine invertebrates are characterized by their gelatinous bodies and the presence of rows of cilia, called comb rows, which they use for locomotion. Lampea species are typically small, transparent, and pelagic, meaning they inhabit the open ocean.

Key features of Lampea:

• Body Plan: Like other ctenophores, Lampea species exhibit biradial symmetry. Their bodies are generally oval or elongated, and highly contractile.

• Comb Rows: Eight rows of cilia, the comb rows, run along the length of the body. These rows beat in a coordinated fashion, propelling the animal through the water.

• Feeding: Lampea are predatory, feeding on other small zooplankton, including copepods, other ctenophores, and larval stages of various marine organisms. They capture prey using sticky colloblast cells located on tentacles (if present) or directly with their oral lobes. Lampea species exhibit a voracious appetite and play a significant role in the pelagic food web.

• Tentacles: While some species of Lampea possess rudimentary tentacles, others lack them entirely. In those with tentacles, these structures are typically short and sparsely distributed.

• Distribution: Lampea have a wide distribution in marine environments globally, occurring in both temperate and tropical waters. Their specific distribution may vary depending on the species.

• Reproduction: Ctenophores are typically hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Lampea can reproduce both sexually, by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, and asexually through fragmentation.

• Taxonomy: The taxonomy of Lampea and other ctenophores has been subject to revision, and the classification of certain species within the genus may be debated.

• Ecological Role: Lampea are important components of marine plankton communities. As predators, they help regulate populations of zooplankton. They are also a food source for larger marine animals.