cat’s-eye

Ctenophores, also known as comb jellies, sea walnuts, or cat's-eyes, are marine invertebrates that make up the phylum Ctenophora. The name "ctenophore" comes from the Greek words for "comb" and "bearer," referring to the rows of ciliary combs that cover their bodies and aid in locomotion.12

These animals are typically small, though some species can grow over a meter long. They are found in all ocean regions, primarily in surface waters near shores. With the exception of one parasitic species, all ctenophores are carnivorous, feeding on planktonic animals.1

Ctenophores are hermaphroditic and reproduce sexually, releasing eggs and sperm into the water for fertilization. Many species are bioluminescent, producing beautiful displays of light. They are distinct from cnidarians (jellyfish) as they lack stinging cells and possess a true mesoderm.13