scyphistomas
/saɪˈfɪstəməz/
noun
- The polyp stage in the life cycle of certain jellyfish, which attaches to a surface and reproduces by budding.
- The scyphistomas attach to rocks on the ocean floor and begin to bud off tiny jellyfish.
- Each scyphistoma can produce dozens of young jellyfish during its lifetime.
- Marine biologists study scyphistomas to understand how jellyfish populations grow.