Aurelia aurita (Moon Jellyfish)
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Ulmaridae
Genus: Aurelia
Species: aurita
All organisms in the domain Eukarya are eukaryotes, hence the name. Both the domain Archaea and Bacteria are prokaryotes, so a eukaryotic organism must be in the domain Eukarya. Since we know the Aurelia aurita is eukaryotic, we automatically know that this organism is in the domain Eukarya. Just for the fun of it, we will continue to prove how the Moon Jellyfish is in the domain Eukarya, even though we are already positive it belongs here. Another way to determine for sure that these Jellyfish are in the domain Eukarya is because they reproduce sexually, which the other two domains do not do. Also, these organisms eat other live animals, so these organisms are heterotrophic organisms. Since they are heterotrophs and the domain Archaea and Bacteria are not, it is very obvious that the Moon Jellyfish is in the domain Eukarya. There are many more ways to prove where this organism belongs; however, I think it is very clear. It is so clear. It is like the outer layer of the Jellyfish. (Ba-dum tssss).
The Aurelia aurita, or Moon Jellyfish, is about 25-40 cm long in diameter, so it can be seen by the naked eye. However, some are as small as 5 cm. in diameter [15]. These organisms have patterns on their bodies, usually in different shades of blue, white, and light pink. One way to easily identify the Moon Jellyfish is by its four horseshoe-like semi circles on its back. In Figure 22, it shows the semi circles facing each other on the back of a Moon Jellyfish. They also have tentacles underneath them, helping catch food [15]. These Moon Jellyfish prefer to be near the coast and they are found in warm water all over the world. A. aurita have been found in places such as Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and even Alaska [15]! Although they would rather be in warmer temperatures between 9-19 degrees Celsius, they can survive in water that is as low as -6 degrees Celsius.
Cycas rumphii (Queen Sago Palm)
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Cycadaceae
Genus: Cycas
Species: rumphii
All organisms within the domain Eukarya are eukaryotic, and the Cycas rumphii is certainly eukaryotic. Since neither of the other two domains include eukaryotic organisms, it is pretty clear that this plant is in the domain Eukarya. Although we already know under which domain this organism belongs, we will continue to prove it just for the fun of it! The Queen Sago Palm is multicellular, another indication of being in the domain Eukarya. The domain Bacteria and Archaea only have unicellular organisms, so all multicellular beings must be in the domain Eukarya. Lastly, these organisms get energy through photosynthesis, meaning they get energy from the sun [1]. Gaining nutrients through photosynthesis is another characteristic of many other organisms in this domain. It is obvious that the Queen Sago Palm is in the domain Eukarya.
The Cycas rumphii is very short, and hardly ever grow taller than 10 meters. As you see in Figure 23, the Queen Sago Palm gets most of its height from the 1.5-2.5 meter fronds, not the trunk of the tree itself. While the trunk is short, it can be very thick, with a diameter up to 40 cm. The leaves grow off of the fronds, and there are about 150-200 leaves per frond [16]. The leaves are bright green, while the trunk is grey with a hint of brown. The trunk actually has a very unique design: there are diamond shaped segments all over.
The Queen Sago Palm is found in only two countries: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. In Indonesia, the plant is found throughout all the islands. However, in Papua New Guinea, the plant is only found on the North of the country. Although Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are located very close to Australia and the Philippines, the plant is not found in either of these countries [16].The Queen Sago Palm lives near the coast, or in a rainforest [17]. Sadly, it has been recently discovered that the number of Sago Palm Trees alive has decreased.
