Physophorans

Physophorans are a group of siphonophores, which are colonial marine animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. Siphonophores are distinguished by their complex organization, consisting of specialized individual units called zooids, each performing a specific function for the colony as a whole. Physophorans, in particular, are characterized by their long, bell-shaped or fusiform swimming bells (pneumatophores) and their trailing structures, which can include gastrozooids for feeding, gonozooids for reproduction, and dactylozooids for defense and prey capture.

These pelagic organisms are found in all oceans, from tropical to polar waters, and inhabit various depths. Their colonial structure allows for a high degree of specialization and adaptability. The arrangement and types of zooids vary significantly among different physophoran species, leading to a wide range of forms and sizes. Some physophorans are sessile, attaching to the seafloor, while the majority are planktonic, drifting with ocean currents. Their diet typically consists of small fish, crustaceans, and other planktonic organisms, which they capture using their stinging tentacles. Reproduction is usually sexual, with the release of gametes into the water column.