It’s an unexpectedly fascinating find that has been made at the Parc de la Tête d’Or: a freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbii, was spotted in the ponds of the Botanical Garden on October 7th. Originally from the Yangtze River basin in China, this little creature with its strange looks made its debut in Europe in the 1880s and reached Lyon in 1919. But since then, it seemed to have completely disappeared from the Lyon scene… until this exciting rediscovery during a program that monitors and studies aquatic biodiversity.
A species that thrives in pure, clear, and warm waters
This tiny, translucent jellyfish measures between 2 and 25 mm in diameter and primarily feeds on plankton. It only develops in particularly pure, clear, and warm waters – over 20°C – ideal conditions that it seems to have found again in the ponds of the Botanical Garden. Its presence is a joyful reminder of the rich biodiversity around us!
“ unnoticed for decades ” highlights, according to the City of Lyon, the importance of continuous monitoring of ecosystems, even in controlled environments like botanical gardens.
For visitors to the Parc de la Tête d’Or, this discovery offers a unique opportunity to observe both an exotic and exceptionally rare species. “By allowing the public to rediscover and observe exceptional species such as the Craspedacusta sowerbii, the Botanical Garden continues to promote the diversity and richness of the plant and aquatic world, thus providing an educational and fascinating experience ,” concludes the municipality. An unexpected dive into the aquatic mysteries of the Park that promises to delight nature lovers and curious visitors alike.
Source : Lyon Mag