The symbiotic relationship between Lychnorhiza lucerna (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae) and Libinia spinosa (Decapoda, Epialtidae) in the Río de la Plata (Argentina–Uruguay)

Herein, we characterize a symbiotic relationship between the scyphomedusa Lychnorhiza lucerna and the decapod crustacean Libinia spinosa in Río de la Plata, South America. Of 843 specimens of L. lucerna examined during the study, 69 (8.2 %) hosted L. spinosa within subgenital spaces. The broad spati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 2012-09, Vol.159 (9), p.1933-1941
Main Authors: Sal Moyano, M. P., Schiariti, A., Giberto, D. A., Diaz Briz, L., Gavio, M. A., Mianzan, H. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cnidaria. Ctenaria
Copepoda
Crustaceans
Decapoda
Freshwater
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Larvae
Libinia spinosa
Life Sciences
Lychnorhiza lucerna
Marine
Marine & Freshwater Sciences
Marine biology
Microbiology
Oceanography
Original Paper
Rhizostomeae
Scyphomedusa
Scyphozoa
Sea water ecosystems
Symbiosis
Synecology
Zoology
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Summary:Herein, we characterize a symbiotic relationship between the scyphomedusa Lychnorhiza lucerna and the decapod crustacean Libinia spinosa in Río de la Plata, South America. Of 843 specimens of L. lucerna examined during the study, 69 (8.2 %) hosted L. spinosa within subgenital spaces. The broad spatial and temporal scale of the study, together with the large number of observations made, confirm an association between the two species. Medusae having crab associates were mature and larger than those lacking such symbionts. Adult crabs of both sexes, as well as juveniles and soft-shell individuals, were found as associates of medusae. Analysis of crab stomach contents revealed the presence of nematocysts and copepod remains. Our results suggest that medusae provide protection and possibly access to food for crabs. Benefits related to transportation were not clear and need further evaluation. Crabs of L. spinosa may acquire their scyphozoan symbionts either as larvae planktonic stages or as adult crabs attaching to jellyfish when aggregating close to bottom.
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/s00227-012-1980-z