This spring, purple-colored Cyanea sp. have been observed across Hong Kong’s southern waters. 這個春天，有人在香港的南部水域發現紫色的霞水母屬（Cyanea）水母
This spring, purple-colored Cyanea sp. have been observed across Hong Kong’s southern waters. Following reports, specimens were collected and samples taken to the lab. Genetic analysis has shown that the purple jellies are Cyanea purpurea, a species not previously recorded in Hong Kong and thought to be from northern Japan and Russia. They can be difficult to tell apart from Cyanea nozakii using physical features, though the purple color is a good indication. It is exciting to see that jellyfish species are being discovered all the time using genetics and species’ ranges are being re-examined!
這個春天，有人在香港的南部水域發現紫色的霞水母屬（Cyanea）水母。收到報告後，我們收集了一些水母樣本，交由實驗室分析。經基因分析發現，這些紫色水母屬Cyanea purpurea的品種。這品種在香港的記錄中不曾出現過，一般被認為是在日本北部及俄羅斯一帶出沒。雖然牠們的紫色外觀較為突出，但一般跟白色霞水母（Cyanea nozakii）很難只靠外表特徵分辨。利用基因分析可以發現更多品種，亦能重新檢視不同品種間的分類，實在是近年的一大發展！
