An invasive jellyfish species is once again washing up on Texas beaches, according to a Monday report from Jace Tunnell, the director of community engagement at Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi.
Known as the Australian white-spotted jellyfish, the invasive species has a bell-shaped cap that ranges in color from crystal clear and brown to what Tunnell described as a “glowing brilliant blue.” Regardless of its color, the bell is covered with small white spots that “resemble a star-filled night sky,” giving the species its name.
Tunnell said the species was first documented in the Gulf in the early 2000s, likely arriving in ballast water discharged from cargo ships. Since then, it has become a seasonal visitor to the Texas coast, where warm Gulf waters provide favorable conditions during the summer months…