keppelõpud

Keppelõpud, also known as Keppel's Bells or Keppel's Bells of the Sea, are a type of marine organism that belong to the phylum Ctenophora. They are named after the naturalist Thomas Pennant, who first described them in 1777. Keppelõpud are characterized by their bell-shaped bodies, which can range from a few centimeters to over a meter in diameter. Their bodies are transparent, allowing light to pass through, and they have eight rows of cilia that beat rhythmically to propel them through the water.

Keppelõpud are found in all the world's oceans, from the surface to the deep sea. They are filter feeders, using their cilia to capture tiny particles of food, such as plankton and bacteria, from the water. Their diet is crucial for maintaining the health of marine ecosystems, as they help to recycle nutrients and prevent the overgrowth of plankton.

Keppelõpud reproduce asexually through a process called transverse fission, where the organism splits into two equal parts. They are also capable of asexual reproduction through budding, where a new individual grows from the parent's body. Keppelõpud are not known to have a sexual reproductive stage.

Keppelõpud play an important role in marine food webs, serving as a food source for various predators, including fish, squid, and other marine organisms. Their transparent bodies and unique feeding mechanism make them a fascinating subject of study for marine biologists. Despite their ecological importance, keppelõpud are not well-studied, and more research is needed to fully understand their biology and behavior.