ONTARIO JELLYFISH
A SPECIES THAT'S NO BIGGER THAN A QUARTER IS CAUSING QUITE A STIR AMONG LOCAL SWIMMERS AND BOATERS NORTH OF TRENTON
- Newswatch Newsroom
9/20/2012
A SPECIES THAT'S NO BIGGER THAN A QUARTER IS CAUSING QUITE A STIR AMONG LOCAL SWIMMERS AND BOATERS NORTH OF TRENTON DOZENS OF FRESHWATER JELLYFISH WERE SPOTTED EARLIER THIS WEEK ON BELMONT LAKE. EVEN THOUGH THEY USE TOXIC BARBS TO STING AND PULL IN PREY, THE UMBRELLA SHAPED CREATURE POSES NO THREAT TO HUMANS. THE INVASIVE SPECIES ORIGINATED IN CHINA AND SPREAD TO NORTH AMERICA BY ATTACHING THEMSELVES TO THE BOTTOMS OF BOATS.
"But they were introduced a fairly long time ago. It's still a question for debate, if they have been introduced or not. But it is definitely thought that they did come from the Ansi River area in China and or south america and basically were transported, or maybe transported over on water lilies or ornamental plants."