In the life cycle of a jellyfish, what does the polyp stage develop into?

The polyp stage of a jellyfish is a crucial part of its life cycle, which begins with a free-swimming larval stage known as a planula. The planula settles on a substrate and develops into a polyp, which can be thought of as the stage that resembles a small, cylindrical organism often attached to a surface.

During the polyp stage, the jellyfish can reproduce asexually through a process called budding, where new polyps may form. Eventually, the polyp will undergo a transformation known as strobilation. During this process, the polyp develops into a medusa, which is the free-floating and typically bell-shaped adult form of the jellyfish. The medusa stage is what most people visualize when they think of jellyfish, as it is this stage that is capable of swimming and producing gametes for sexual reproduction.

In summary, from the polyp stage, the organism develops into the medusa stage, completing a significant transition in the jellyfish's life cycle. Understanding this transformation is essential when studying the biological processes and reproductive strategies of jellyfish.