search icon
search icon
Flag Arrow Down
Română
Română
Magyar
Magyar
English
English
Français
Français
Deutsch
Deutsch
Italiano
Italiano
Español
Español
Русский
Русский
日本語
日本語
中国人
中国人

Change Language

arrow down
  • Română
    Română
  • Magyar
    Magyar
  • English
    English
  • Français
    Français
  • Deutsch
    Deutsch
  • Italiano
    Italiano
  • Español
    Español
  • Русский
    Русский
  • 日本語
    日本語
  • 中国人
    中国人
Sections
  • News
  • Exclusive
  • INSCOP Surveys
  • Podcast
  • EU
  • Diaspora
  • Republic of Moldova
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Current Affairs
  • International
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Education
  • IT&C knowledge
  • Arts & Lifestyle
  • Opinions
  • Elections 2025
  • Environment
About Us
Contact
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions
Quickly scroll through news digests and see how they are covered in different publications!
  • News
  • Exclusive
    • INSCOP Surveys
    • Podcast
    • EU
    • Diaspora
    • Republic of Moldova
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Current Affairs
    • International
    • Sport
    • Health
    • Education
    • IT&C knowledge
    • Arts & Lifestyle
    • Opinions
    • Elections 2025
    • Environment
62 new news items in the last 24 hours
  1. Home
  2. IT&C knowledge

SPECIAL Informat.ro / The Giant Siphonophore: how one of the strangest organisms of the ocean works

Călin Nicolescu
whatsapp
facebook
linkedin
x
copy-link copy-link
25 June 2026, 11:18
main event image
IT&C knowledge
Foto Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute / Zuma Press / Profimedia Reprezentata: SCI
google-preference

Always see our news on Google

The giant siphonophore is one of the most spectacular animals of the oceans: it appears to be a single body, but it is actually a colony of tiny specialized individuals called zooids, which function together as a single organism. The scientific name commonly associated with this animal is Praya dubia.

What is the giant siphonophore

Siphonophores are related to jellyfish and corals, and the "giant siphonophore" is a deep-sea species known for its impressive length, which can reach tens of meters. Although it is very long, its body is extremely slender and fragile, making it resemble a living ribbon rather than a robust animal. In Romanian, the appropriate term is "giant siphonophore" or "gigantic siphonophore".

How the multicellular organism functions

This animal is a multicellular organism: each zooid has a specific role, and together they make up the entire colony. Some parts are responsible for movement, others for capturing food, digestion, or reproduction. Therefore, it is not a single individual that does everything, but a cooperative system in which the "pieces" do not usually survive separately.

Movement is achieved through structures resembling bells that contract and push water, while food is captured with long tentacles, often equipped with stinging cells. Some sources also describe blue bioluminescence, used to attract prey in the darkness of the depths.

Where it lives

The giant siphonophore lives in the deep waters of the oceans, especially in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones, at hundreds or even a thousand meters below the surface. It has been reported from several oceans around the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic. It prefers areas where light penetrates very little or not at all, making it difficult to observe directly.

Why it is important

The giant siphonophore is interesting not only for its size but also for the way it shows that life can function as a very close collaboration among multiple organisms. Studying it helps researchers better understand deep-sea ecosystems and survival strategies in extreme environments. Additionally, it is an excellent example of marine biological diversity, still little known to the general public.

Latest News

14:59

The Russian press omitted references to Moscow in Nicușor Dan's message about the downed drone.

14:47

Rowing: Romania, world title at U23 and still two medals on the last day of the World Championships

14:36

The Landing Beaches of Normandy have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage.

14:22

ARSVOM has launched a search mission for two sailors missing from the ship AGN RAGNAR in the Sulina area.

14:05

Maia Sandu condemns the repeated violations of Romanian airspace by Russia: "The security of Romania is the security of the Republic of Moldova."

See more news

NEWS ON THE SAME TOPICS

event image
EU
EU researchers are testing more genetically diverse forests to withstand drought, fires, and diseases.
event image
EU
The European Commission launches OceanEye to transform the European Union into a global leader in ocean observation.
event image
Environment
A team of researchers has identified 166,000 km² of coral reefs capable of surviving climate change, offering new hope for these marine ecosystems.
event image
Environment
An international team of researchers has embarked on a six-week expedition to Greenland to analyze the impact of ice sheet melting on global climate.
event image
IT&C knowledge
Mammoth bones show that people of the Ice Age were organized hunters, not just simple survivors.
event image
EU
Invasive species continue to spread in the European Union, although rapid interventions have begun to yield results.
app preview
Personalized news feed, AI-powered search, and notifications in a more interactive experience.
app preview app preview
siphonophore giant ocean

Editor’s Recommendations

main event image
Current Affairs
4 hours ago

A new drone was shot down on Sunday morning by an F-16 of the Romanian Air Force, in the Sulina–Chilia area.

Sources
imagine sursa
imagine sursa
imagine sursa
main event image
Current Affairs
1 hour ago

Why did Radu Miruță erase part of the message regarding the downing of the third drone on the territory of Romania

Sources
imagine sursa
imagine sursa
main event image
Current Affairs
3 hours ago

Nicușor Dan: "It is unacceptable and intolerable". The president announces that the diplomatic protest against Russia will be based on the investigation regarding the downed drones.

Sources
imagine sursa
main event image
Exclusive
Yesterday 09:15
Original Content

IT News Review by Control F5 Software: The United Kingdom proposes a voluntary nighttime restriction for social networks

main event image
Opinions
8 hours ago

Sever Voinescu, Dilema.ro: He says it's a mirror, not a conscience

app preview
Personalized news feed, AI-powered search, and notifications in a more interactive experience.
app preview
app store badge google play badge
  • News
  • Exclusive
  • INSCOP Surveys
  • Podcast
  • EU
  • Diaspora
  • Republic of Moldova
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Current Affairs
  • International
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Education
  • IT&C knowledge
  • Arts & Lifestyle
  • Opinions
  • Elections 2025
  • Environment
  • About Us
  • Contact
Privacy policy
Cookies Policy
Terms and conditions
Open source licenses
All rights reserved Strategic Media Team SRL

Technology in partnership with

anpc-sal anpc-sol