Substrate choice and settlement preferences of planula larvae of five Scyphozoa (Cnidaria) from German Bight, North Sea

The settlement behaviour of planula larvae and their development to young polyps was investigated in laboratory experiments in five scyphozoan species [Aurelia aurita (L.), Cyanea capillata (L.), Cyanea lamarckii Peron and Leseur, Chrysaora hysoscella (L.), and Rhizostoma octopus (L.)]. The undersid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 2007-05, Vol.151 (3), p.863-871
Main Authors: HOLST, Sabine, JARMS, Gerhard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal behavior
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aurelia aurita
Biological and medical sciences
Chrysaora hysoscella
Cnidaria
Cnidaria. Ctenaria
Cyanea capillata
Cyanea lamarckii
Developmental stages
Experiments
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitats
Invertebrates
Larvae
Marine
Marine biology
Marine debris
Marine pollution
Mollusks
Rhizostoma octopus
Scyphozoa
Sea water ecosystems
Substrates
Synecology
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Summary:The settlement behaviour of planula larvae and their development to young polyps was investigated in laboratory experiments in five scyphozoan species [Aurelia aurita (L.), Cyanea capillata (L.), Cyanea lamarckii Peron and Leseur, Chrysaora hysoscella (L.), and Rhizostoma octopus (L.)]. The undersides of settling plates were strongly preferred for settlement. Shells, the only natural substrate type offered, were less attractive than artificial substrates (concrete, machined wood, polyethylene, and glass). The advantages of colonization of substrate undersides for survival and reproduction of polyps are discussed. It is supposed that the increase of artificial substrates in our seas, due to marine litter pollution and submarine building activities, enlarge the areas of distribution of scyphozoan polyps, in coastal as well as in off-shore regions. Subsequent increases in ephyra production by polyps are probably one reason for the increase in mass occurrences of jellyfish recognized worldwide during the last few decades. It is suggested that the early developmental stages in the cnidarian life cycle, the planula larvae, and the polyps, play the key role in the development of jellyfish outbursts. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/s00227-006-0530-y