Nudibranch predation and dietary preference for the polyps of Aurelia labiata (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Issue Title: Jellyfish Blooms: Interactions with Humans and Fisheries There is concern that jellyfish blooms may be increasing worldwide. Some factors controlling population size, such as temperature and food, often have been studied; however, the importance of predators is poorly known. Aeolid nudi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2012-07, Vol.690 (1), p.199-213
Main Authors: HOOVER, Richard A, ARMOUR, Ruth, DOW, Ian, PURCELL, Jennifer E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal populations
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aurelia labiata
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Cnidaria
Distaplia occidentalis
Fish
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Hermissenda crassicornis
Marine
Population number
Predation
Predators
Prey
Scyphozoa
Synecology
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Summary:Issue Title: Jellyfish Blooms: Interactions with Humans and Fisheries There is concern that jellyfish blooms may be increasing worldwide. Some factors controlling population size, such as temperature and food, often have been studied; however, the importance of predators is poorly known. Aeolid nudibranchs feed on cnidarians, but their predation on the benthic polyps of scyphozoan rarely has been documented. To understand the potential of nudibranchs to consume polyps, we tested several predation preference hypotheses with the generalist feeding nudibranch, Hermissenda crassicornis, and polyps of the common moon jellyfish, Aurelia labiata. Of the six prey species tested during feeding experiments, A. labiata polyps and the tunicate Distaplia occidentalis were significantly preferred. Nudibranch size, diurnal cycle, and ingestive conditioning did not significantly influence prey choice. Nudibranchs showed significant positive chemotaxis toward living polyps, hydroids, and tunicates, but not to sea anemones. Nudibranch chemotaxis was significantly more positive to polar extract of A. labiata than of D. occidentalis. Consumption of polyps was correlated with nudibranch size, with mean consumption by large nudibranchs (>0.92 g) of about 31 polyps h^sup -1^. Three other nudibranch species also ate A. labiata polyps. Our results emphasize the potential importance of predation for controlling jellyfish benthic polyp populations and consequent jellyfish blooms.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/s10750-012-1044-x