Documentation of potential courtship-behaviour in Periphylla periphylla (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

The distribution pattern and nocturnal surface behaviour of the deep-sea medusa Periphylla periphylla in a Norwegian fjord was studied. Medusa abundance, size distribution and condition were determined, using surface collections, net tows and ROV-based video profiles. Only larger, mature medusae rea...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009-02, Vol.89 (1), p.63-66
Main Authors: Tiemann, Henry, Sötje, Ilka, Johnston, Blair D., Flood, Per R., Båmstedt, Ulf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Cnidaria
Cnidaria. Ctenaria
Coronatae
courtship-behaviour
Cytology
Deep sea
Distribution patterns
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Life history
Marine
Oceans
Periphylla
Periphylla periphylla
Scyphozoa
Sea water ecosystems
surface aggregation
Synecology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The distribution pattern and nocturnal surface behaviour of the deep-sea medusa Periphylla periphylla in a Norwegian fjord was studied. Medusa abundance, size distribution and condition were determined, using surface collections, net tows and ROV-based video profiles. Only larger, mature medusae reached the surface and aggregated into small groups of both sexes, whereas juvenile medusae remained in deeper waters. Observations on the behaviour and cytology of aggregated medusae suggested a mating strategy. We hypothesize that this behaviour is the by-product of a holopelagic life history, developed in a more oceanic deep environment with low species abundance, as surface aggregation increases the chance of encounter and mating.
ISSN:0025-3154
1469-7769
DOI:10.1017/S0025315408001264