Mastigias ocellatus
# Mastigias ocellatus

Mastigias ocellatus, the golden medusa, is a species of jellyfish in the family Mastigiidae. It is native to the southern Pacific Ocean.

## Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the latin ocellatus, "having small eyes", referring to the white spots on the edge of the bell that appear similar to small eyes.

## Description

The medusa of M. ocellatus grows to a diameter of about 15 cm (6 in). The surface of the bell is sculptured with small, polygonal nematocyst warts. There are 96 marginal lappets and eight 3-winged mouth arms, terminating in a bare, club-shaped extremity, the tip of which is blue. The bell is reddish-brown, with white spots near the edge, each with a brown centre and margin.

## Distribution

M. ocellatus occurs in October in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is a pelagic species, and its method of reproduction has not been studied.

