The activation properties of in situ nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) were investigated by physical contact with a gelatin probe that, besides stimulating the nematocyte battery, retains the discharged nematocysts, thereby allowing a quantitative evaluation of the response. In oral arms previously treated with 2 mmol l-1 La3+ the discharge was inhibited. This result confirms the Ca(...

Specifically, Raskoff & Matsumoto (2004) were referring to advances in submersible and remotely operated vehicle technology that have allowed researchers to dive to greater depths and discover new families of scyphomedusae (Matsumoto et al., 2003; Raskoff & Matsumoto, 2004). Their message though, has a broader context. Deep-ocean exploration is just one of many advances in biological oceanograp...

The genetic structure of the holopelagic scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca was inferred based on the study of 144 adult medusae. The areas of study were five geographic regions in two European seas (Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea). A 655-bp sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and a 645-bp sequence of two nuclear internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) were an...

Identification of organisms is traditionally based on the use of "classic" identification keys, normally printed on paper. These keys have several drawbacks: they are mainly based on the systematics, requiring identification of orders, families and genera at first; they are written by experts for other experts, in a specific scientific jargon; they have a "frozen" structure (sequence of theses/...

The Australian spotted jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata has been reported from several locations in the Mediterranean, but the present report is the first record from Turkish waters. Juveniles of the Erythrean alien shrimp scad, Alepes djedaba, were observed nestling among its tentacles. Possible vectors are mentioned.

Scyphomedusae (Phylum Cnidaria, Class Scyphozoa) are perceived as a nuisance due to their sudden outbreaks that negatively affect human activities (particularly tourism and fisheries) mainly because of their stings. A brief review of the history of scyphozoan blooms in the Mediterranean and updated information available after 2010 point to an increase in scyphozoan outbreaks. Whilst the negativ...

Abstract Research to understand the distribution and density of jellyfish is actively being conducted using training ships, but this hindered by high cost manpower limitations irradiation area. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), however, provide cost-effective means for assessing marine animal populations. Therefore, we tested application UAVs in estimating probed altitude-dependent sui...

Identifying ontogenetic changes in jellyfish diet is fundamental to understand trophic interactions during their life cycle. Scyphomedusae blooms exert major predation pressure on plankton communities, although role ecosystems has long been misrepresented. This study assesses seasonal and the of scyphomedusa Rhizostoma pulmo, one largest yet overlooked Mediterranean jellyfish. Medusae gut conte...

The capability of animals to emit light, called bioluminescence, is considered to be a major factor in ecological interactions. Because it occurs across diverse taxa, measurements of bioluminescence can be powerful to detect and quantify organisms in the ocean. In this study, 17 years of video observations were recorded by remotely operated vehicles during surveys off the California Coast, from...

A dense population of stauromedusan scyphozoans (morphologically similar to previously described species within the genus Lucernaria) was encountered in a previously undocumented area of hydrothermal activity along the crest of the East Pacific Rise (Lat. 20 50.304'N; Long. 109 05.422'W; depth of 2605 m). A few galatheid {Munidopsis subsquamosa) and bythograeid {Bythograea thermydron) crabs and...