Stellamedusa ventana is a newly described species of jelly that lives hundreds of meters below the surface of the ocean. Its translucent bell is about the size of a softball. This individual was photographed during MBARI's expedition to the Gulf of California in Spring 2003.

Stellamedusa ventana has been observed off the coast of California and in the Gulf of California, but the full extent of its range remains unknown. In over thirteen years of deep-ocean diving, MBARI scientists have only seen this jelly seven times.

Using a remotely operated vehicle, MBARI researchers captured this Stellamedusa ventana and brought it into the laboratory to study its eating habits.

This laboratory photo shows the bumps that give Stellamedusa ventana its common name, "Bumpy." Each bump contains hundreds of stinging cells, used for capturing and holding on to prey.

The bumps on Stellamedusa ventana's bell and arms are loaded with stinging cells (pneumatacysts) that can capture and hold on to prey up to 5 cm (2 inches) across. In this close-up image, the pneumatacysts give the tip of each bump a frosted appearance.