In jellyfish and sea anemones, a thread-like structure within tentacles used for attachment rather than stinging.
From Greek 'desmos' (bond, to bind) + 'nema' (thread). Unlike nematocysts (stinging cells), desmocytes contain threads for adhesion rather than venom.
Jellyfish have evolved multiple types of specialized cells with different jobs—some shoot venom, some grab and hold—and scientists needed separate names (nematocyst vs. desmoneme) because these threads work completely differently.
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