Comb Jelly Reproduction
The comb jelly is a strange animal when it comes to reproducing. Most species of the comb jelly do not have defined sexes, and produce both sperm and egg, so it can fertilize itself. There are a select few species like the Ocryopsis that have defined sexes and only produce sperm or egg fertilization occurs out side of the jellyfish, in the water. The jelly fish can either fertilize themselves or leave their sperm in the water for another to fertilize it. The comb jelly release about 8,000 eggs per spawn. They fertilized eggs can reproduce 13 days after fertilization(1). The comb jelly likes to reproduce when its night when the water is about 66-73 degrees(2)
(1)http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/comb_jellies
(2)http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/comb_jellies
(1)http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/comb_jellies
(2)http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/comb_jellies
Comb Jelly Reproductive System Diagram
As you can see the "gonads" and "ovaries" are located right under the skin and directly above tentacle sheath. The reasoning for this is the sperm and egg are engected into the surrounding water for another comb jelly to fertilize or for the comb jelly that first engected the sperm into the water would fertilize it
Development Of The Young
The care from the offspring starts with the sperm or egg being released into the water and ends with fertilization. The comb jelly releases about 8,000 eggs and leaves them there. After 13 days the offspring become sexually mature and can release sperm and egg. There is no care for the comb jelly offspring whatsoever. A
These Are Photos Of Comb Jelly Larvae
This is a Picture of a comb jelly 13 days after fertilization
This is an image of a 13 day year old comb jelly. At 13 days they comb jelly sexually mature and can produce offspring of its own. Although this life of theirs will be short lived, they only have a life expectancy of 4-6 mouths(3)
(3) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/blueplanet/factfiles/jellies/gooseberry_bg.shtml
(3) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/blueplanet/factfiles/jellies/gooseberry_bg.shtml