Anna Klompen, PhD
@gelatinoussting.bsky.social
Comparative functional venomics • Jellyfish and Sea Anemone venom systems • Postdoc @ Stowers • PhD from KU EEB • Evolutionary biology, toxinology, functional genomics • Always #Hype4Hydrozoa • She/her
http://annaklompen.com/
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Opinions my own.
http://annaklompen.com/
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Opinions my own.
Yesterday was my third “Dr. Day” anniversary, and I got to celebrate by submitting one of the last projects I worked on with @pcart.bsky.social @ku-eeb.bsky.social and finished up @stowersinstitute.bsky.social. I’m excited when I get to share! A hint, it is #Hype4Hydrozoa!
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November 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Yesterday was my third “Dr. Day” anniversary, and I got to celebrate by submitting one of the last projects I worked on with @pcart.bsky.social @ku-eeb.bsky.social and finished up @stowersinstitute.bsky.social. I’m excited when I get to share! A hint, it is #Hype4Hydrozoa!
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A little snail fur hydroid (Hydractinia) close up for #ToxinTuesday. This female colony has tons of eggs developing across multiple reproductive polyps (called gonozooids).
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
@sicb-diz.bsky.social
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
@sicb-diz.bsky.social
August 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
A little snail fur hydroid (Hydractinia) close up for #ToxinTuesday. This female colony has tons of eggs developing across multiple reproductive polyps (called gonozooids).
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
@sicb-diz.bsky.social
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
@sicb-diz.bsky.social
This sea anemone holds some serious stinging power around their mouth!
📷 Transgenic Nematostella where green marks developing and mature stinging cells, which are densely packed around the mouth.
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#StunningStella #ToxinTuesday @stowersinstitute.bsky.social
📷 Transgenic Nematostella where green marks developing and mature stinging cells, which are densely packed around the mouth.
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#StunningStella #ToxinTuesday @stowersinstitute.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This sea anemone holds some serious stinging power around their mouth!
📷 Transgenic Nematostella where green marks developing and mature stinging cells, which are densely packed around the mouth.
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#StunningStella #ToxinTuesday @stowersinstitute.bsky.social
📷 Transgenic Nematostella where green marks developing and mature stinging cells, which are densely packed around the mouth.
🪸🧪🪸
#StunningStella #ToxinTuesday @stowersinstitute.bsky.social
New Nematostella transgenic slowly but surely on the way! Any guesses?
#StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
#StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
New Nematostella transgenic slowly but surely on the way! Any guesses?
#StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
#StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
I was lucky to also have an opportunity to talk about my research on jellyfish venoms 🪼and sea anemone stinging cells 🪸 for “Science over Spirits” with a wonderful group, sharing how my basic research has lead to unexpected discoveries.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
#Hype4Hydrozoa #StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I was lucky to also have an opportunity to talk about my research on jellyfish venoms 🪼and sea anemone stinging cells 🪸 for “Science over Spirits” with a wonderful group, sharing how my basic research has lead to unexpected discoveries.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
#Hype4Hydrozoa #StunningStella
@stowersinstitute.bsky.social
Same artist over multiple years (with a few more not shown).
I research jellyfish venom systems, and my graduate work was on colonial hydroids that live on hermit crabs.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #SciArt
I research jellyfish venom systems, and my graduate work was on colonial hydroids that live on hermit crabs.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #SciArt
April 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Same artist over multiple years (with a few more not shown).
I research jellyfish venom systems, and my graduate work was on colonial hydroids that live on hermit crabs.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #SciArt
I research jellyfish venom systems, and my graduate work was on colonial hydroids that live on hermit crabs.
#Hype4Hydrozoa #SciArt
Young Sanderia jellies (ephyrae) enjoying the sunset. These jellies are too young to eat, and actively swim “up” in whatever container they are in.
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April 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Young Sanderia jellies (ephyrae) enjoying the sunset. These jellies are too young to eat, and actively swim “up” in whatever container they are in.
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A few of the moon jellies we raised several years ago.
These jellies grow rapidly, but will likely only live a year or two. Their polyps, however, can live for many years even after producing young jellies.
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These jellies grow rapidly, but will likely only live a year or two. Their polyps, however, can live for many years even after producing young jellies.
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February 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A few of the moon jellies we raised several years ago.
These jellies grow rapidly, but will likely only live a year or two. Their polyps, however, can live for many years even after producing young jellies.
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These jellies grow rapidly, but will likely only live a year or two. Their polyps, however, can live for many years even after producing young jellies.
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This snail fur hydroid (Hydractinia) reporter line shows developing and newly mature stinging cells in red, which are found all over the body (and colony). This polyp just ate a brine shrimp roughly its size, but still seems perfectly ready to sting again.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
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February 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This snail fur hydroid (Hydractinia) reporter line shows developing and newly mature stinging cells in red, which are found all over the body (and colony). This polyp just ate a brine shrimp roughly its size, but still seems perfectly ready to sting again.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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#Hype4Hydrozoa
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November 30, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Remembering when I caught this beautiful red-eye or bell jelly (Polyorchis penicillatus) at Friday Harbor Labs while on my paddle board (in a ziplock I conveniently carried).
Older medusae like this one tend to have green algae growing on their bell. Polyp remains unknown.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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Older medusae like this one tend to have green algae growing on their bell. Polyp remains unknown.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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November 30, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Remembering when I caught this beautiful red-eye or bell jelly (Polyorchis penicillatus) at Friday Harbor Labs while on my paddle board (in a ziplock I conveniently carried).
Older medusae like this one tend to have green algae growing on their bell. Polyp remains unknown.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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Older medusae like this one tend to have green algae growing on their bell. Polyp remains unknown.
#Hype4Hydrozoa
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I really like yours! Here are a few of my jellies and some stinging cells. #Hype4Hydrozoa
November 24, 2024 at 5:08 PM
I really like yours! Here are a few of my jellies and some stinging cells. #Hype4Hydrozoa
September 25, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Okay so jellyfish often live as polyps for a while, but polyps don’t sting right?
Not so! The polyp stage also contains stinging cells, which house the venom-filled structures that give jellies their sting.
🎥 Sanderia (Amakusa jellyfish) polyps on slide.
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#MedusozoaMadness #ToxinTuesday
Not so! The polyp stage also contains stinging cells, which house the venom-filled structures that give jellies their sting.
🎥 Sanderia (Amakusa jellyfish) polyps on slide.
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#MedusozoaMadness #ToxinTuesday
March 19, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Okay so jellyfish often live as polyps for a while, but polyps don’t sting right?
Not so! The polyp stage also contains stinging cells, which house the venom-filled structures that give jellies their sting.
🎥 Sanderia (Amakusa jellyfish) polyps on slide.
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness #ToxinTuesday
Not so! The polyp stage also contains stinging cells, which house the venom-filled structures that give jellies their sting.
🎥 Sanderia (Amakusa jellyfish) polyps on slide.
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness #ToxinTuesday
There are also observations of these jellies hunting on the sediment, using their manubrium (central frilly structure inside the bell ending in a “mouth”) to sweep the bottom for potential prey.
Two hunting styles may be better than one!
📷 Red Eye Jelly at Friday Harbor Labs
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Two hunting styles may be better than one!
📷 Red Eye Jelly at Friday Harbor Labs
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March 16, 2024 at 9:02 PM
There are also observations of these jellies hunting on the sediment, using their manubrium (central frilly structure inside the bell ending in a “mouth”) to sweep the bottom for potential prey.
Two hunting styles may be better than one!
📷 Red Eye Jelly at Friday Harbor Labs
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Two hunting styles may be better than one!
📷 Red Eye Jelly at Friday Harbor Labs
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Several jellies can be longer and larger than humans!
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (genus Cyanea): 3m bell diameter, 30+ m long tentacles!
📷 Washed up “small” Lion’s mane along rocky intertidal, with my boot for size.
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#MedusozoaMadness
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (genus Cyanea): 3m bell diameter, 30+ m long tentacles!
📷 Washed up “small” Lion’s mane along rocky intertidal, with my boot for size.
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#MedusozoaMadness
March 16, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Several jellies can be longer and larger than humans!
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (genus Cyanea): 3m bell diameter, 30+ m long tentacles!
📷 Washed up “small” Lion’s mane along rocky intertidal, with my boot for size.
🪼🧪🪼
#MedusozoaMadness
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (genus Cyanea): 3m bell diameter, 30+ m long tentacles!
📷 Washed up “small” Lion’s mane along rocky intertidal, with my boot for size.
🪼🧪🪼
#MedusozoaMadness
“True” jellies: ~200 species
Box jellies: ~50 species
Stalked jellies: ~50 species
If you know me I am always #Hype4Hydrozoa, and lucky me Hydrozoa or “water animals” includes over 3500 species to get excited about, spanning from freshwater to the deep ocean!
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#MedusozoaMadness
Box jellies: ~50 species
Stalked jellies: ~50 species
If you know me I am always #Hype4Hydrozoa, and lucky me Hydrozoa or “water animals” includes over 3500 species to get excited about, spanning from freshwater to the deep ocean!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
March 9, 2024 at 2:45 PM
“True” jellies: ~200 species
Box jellies: ~50 species
Stalked jellies: ~50 species
If you know me I am always #Hype4Hydrozoa, and lucky me Hydrozoa or “water animals” includes over 3500 species to get excited about, spanning from freshwater to the deep ocean!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
Box jellies: ~50 species
Stalked jellies: ~50 species
If you know me I am always #Hype4Hydrozoa, and lucky me Hydrozoa or “water animals” includes over 3500 species to get excited about, spanning from freshwater to the deep ocean!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
Okay “true” and “box” jellies, but stalked jellyfish?
Staurozoa includes ~50 species that have similar structures as a “typical” swimming medusa, but instead these stauromedusae attach to substrate like algae or rocks!
📷 Stalked jellyfish at Friday Harbor Labs
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#MedusozoaMadness
Staurozoa includes ~50 species that have similar structures as a “typical” swimming medusa, but instead these stauromedusae attach to substrate like algae or rocks!
📷 Stalked jellyfish at Friday Harbor Labs
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
March 6, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Okay “true” and “box” jellies, but stalked jellyfish?
Staurozoa includes ~50 species that have similar structures as a “typical” swimming medusa, but instead these stauromedusae attach to substrate like algae or rocks!
📷 Stalked jellyfish at Friday Harbor Labs
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
Staurozoa includes ~50 species that have similar structures as a “typical” swimming medusa, but instead these stauromedusae attach to substrate like algae or rocks!
📷 Stalked jellyfish at Friday Harbor Labs
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
And box jellyfish? Seems odd…
In more ways than one! Cubozoans or box jellies have cube-shaped bells and 1 or more tentacles at each of the four “corners”. Some species are known for having complex eyes, fast swimming speeds, or potent venoms!
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#MedusozoaMadness
#ToxinTuesday
In more ways than one! Cubozoans or box jellies have cube-shaped bells and 1 or more tentacles at each of the four “corners”. Some species are known for having complex eyes, fast swimming speeds, or potent venoms!
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#MedusozoaMadness
#ToxinTuesday
March 5, 2024 at 11:14 PM
And box jellyfish? Seems odd…
In more ways than one! Cubozoans or box jellies have cube-shaped bells and 1 or more tentacles at each of the four “corners”. Some species are known for having complex eyes, fast swimming speeds, or potent venoms!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
#ToxinTuesday
In more ways than one! Cubozoans or box jellies have cube-shaped bells and 1 or more tentacles at each of the four “corners”. Some species are known for having complex eyes, fast swimming speeds, or potent venoms!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
#ToxinTuesday
“True jellyfish” you say?
Scyphozoa may be called true jellies since they often grow into larger jellyfish (easier to see!) in marine habitats across the world. There are ~200 described species such as moons, sea nettles, upside-downs, and egg yolk jellies!
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#MedusozoaMadness
Scyphozoa may be called true jellies since they often grow into larger jellyfish (easier to see!) in marine habitats across the world. There are ~200 described species such as moons, sea nettles, upside-downs, and egg yolk jellies!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
March 4, 2024 at 9:02 PM
“True jellyfish” you say?
Scyphozoa may be called true jellies since they often grow into larger jellyfish (easier to see!) in marine habitats across the world. There are ~200 described species such as moons, sea nettles, upside-downs, and egg yolk jellies!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
Scyphozoa may be called true jellies since they often grow into larger jellyfish (easier to see!) in marine habitats across the world. There are ~200 described species such as moons, sea nettles, upside-downs, and egg yolk jellies!
🧪🪼🧪
#MedusozoaMadness
Medusozoan classes includes:
• Scyphozoa (“true” jellies)
• Cubozoa (box jellies)
• Staurozoa (stalked jellies)
• Hydrozoa (water animals)
Jellyfish are found across these groups, but in some cases the jellyfish stage has been highly modified or even lost!
#MedusozoaMadness
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• Scyphozoa (“true” jellies)
• Cubozoa (box jellies)
• Staurozoa (stalked jellies)
• Hydrozoa (water animals)
Jellyfish are found across these groups, but in some cases the jellyfish stage has been highly modified or even lost!
#MedusozoaMadness
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March 3, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Medusozoan classes includes:
• Scyphozoa (“true” jellies)
• Cubozoa (box jellies)
• Staurozoa (stalked jellies)
• Hydrozoa (water animals)
Jellyfish are found across these groups, but in some cases the jellyfish stage has been highly modified or even lost!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
• Scyphozoa (“true” jellies)
• Cubozoa (box jellies)
• Staurozoa (stalked jellies)
• Hydrozoa (water animals)
Jellyfish are found across these groups, but in some cases the jellyfish stage has been highly modified or even lost!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
What are medusozoans anyway?
Medusa = jellyfish, or the swimming life stage present in the lineages of Medusozoa, a subphylum in Cnidaria! The jellyfish stage (typically) proceeds after the benthic polyp stage.
📷 Sanderia polyps and young jellies (ephyrae)!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
Medusa = jellyfish, or the swimming life stage present in the lineages of Medusozoa, a subphylum in Cnidaria! The jellyfish stage (typically) proceeds after the benthic polyp stage.
📷 Sanderia polyps and young jellies (ephyrae)!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
March 3, 2024 at 3:06 PM
What are medusozoans anyway?
Medusa = jellyfish, or the swimming life stage present in the lineages of Medusozoa, a subphylum in Cnidaria! The jellyfish stage (typically) proceeds after the benthic polyp stage.
📷 Sanderia polyps and young jellies (ephyrae)!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
Medusa = jellyfish, or the swimming life stage present in the lineages of Medusozoa, a subphylum in Cnidaria! The jellyfish stage (typically) proceeds after the benthic polyp stage.
📷 Sanderia polyps and young jellies (ephyrae)!
#MedusozoaMadness
🧪🪼🧪
Did someone say #MedusozoaMadness?
These moon jellies are just a few months old, but have grown fast on a steady diet of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) or “sea monkeys.” You can see this jelly’s last meal still inside!
📷: Moon jellyfish (Aurelia coerulea), raised in @pcart.bsky.social lab.
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These moon jellies are just a few months old, but have grown fast on a steady diet of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) or “sea monkeys.” You can see this jelly’s last meal still inside!
📷: Moon jellyfish (Aurelia coerulea), raised in @pcart.bsky.social lab.
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March 2, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Did someone say #MedusozoaMadness?
These moon jellies are just a few months old, but have grown fast on a steady diet of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) or “sea monkeys.” You can see this jelly’s last meal still inside!
📷: Moon jellyfish (Aurelia coerulea), raised in @pcart.bsky.social lab.
🧪🪼🧪
These moon jellies are just a few months old, but have grown fast on a steady diet of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) or “sea monkeys.” You can see this jelly’s last meal still inside!
📷: Moon jellyfish (Aurelia coerulea), raised in @pcart.bsky.social lab.
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New year, new projects, still #Hype4Hydrozoa for snail fur hydroids 🪼🧪🪼
📷 Hermit crab with Hydractinia colony on shell. PC: Me
📷 Hermit crab with Hydractinia colony on shell. PC: Me
January 1, 2024 at 7:58 PM
New year, new projects, still #Hype4Hydrozoa for snail fur hydroids 🪼🧪🪼
📷 Hermit crab with Hydractinia colony on shell. PC: Me
📷 Hermit crab with Hydractinia colony on shell. PC: Me
It’s World Jellyfish Day. Please enjoy.
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November 3, 2023 at 5:24 PM
It’s World Jellyfish Day. Please enjoy.
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