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Life cycle of Carybdea marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 (Cubozoa, Carybdeidae) reveals metamorphosis to be a modified strobilation

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Abstract

Two types of metamorphosis occur in the life cycle of Carybdea marsupialis Linnaeus 1758 (Cubozoa, Carybdeidae). In addition to the metamorphosis described several times over, during which the entire polyp transforms into one medusa, we investigated a second type of metamorphosis which leaves a regenerative remnant. This mode of medusa formation seems to be derived from the strobilation known from Scyphozoa. Both types are described and the implications these results have on the idea about the origin of the class Cubozoa, are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut und Zoologisches Museum, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    I. Straehler-Pohl & G. Jarms

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  1. I. Straehler-Pohl
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  2. G. Jarms
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Correspondence to I. Straehler-Pohl.

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The performed experiments comply with the current laws of Germany.

Communicated by O. Kinne

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Straehler-Pohl, I., Jarms, G. Life cycle of Carybdea marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 (Cubozoa, Carybdeidae) reveals metamorphosis to be a modified strobilation. Marine Biology 147, 1271–1277 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-0031-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-0031-4

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