A genus of small, free-swimming marine animals called comb jellies, found in oceans worldwide.
Named after Cydippe, a figure from Greek mythology (a sea nymph or oceanid). The genus name was given by naturalists in the 18th century, following the tradition of naming organisms after mythological water-dwelling figures.
Cydippes are utterly mesmerizing creatures—they move through the ocean using rows of beating cilia that refract light into rainbow colors! Scientists think they might be among the most ancient animals alive, possibly more primitive than jellyfish.
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