Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Abundance, distribution and prey composition of scyphomedusae in the southern North Sea

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The annual cycle of abundance and distribution of the scyphozoan medusae Aurelia aurita, Cyanea lamarckii, C. capillata and Chrysaora hysoscella were studied in the southern North Sea in 2004 and 2005. Three different patterns of seasonal occurrence of medusae were distinguished: (1) the early occurring C. lamarckii (February–August), (2) C. capillata and A. aurita (April–August) and (3) the late appearing C. hysoscella (July/August–September). Cyanea lamarckii was the most frequently encountered species in this study; its highest mean abundance was 1.8 ± 2.7 ind. 100 m−3. The prey spectra of C. lamarckii, C. capillata and C. hysoscella contained several copepod and other crustacean species and thus make them potential competitors with fish larvae. Medusae in this study also consumed fish eggs and larvae, including clupeids, in all months analysed. Although peak spawning of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) coincides with the maximum abundance of medusae (May–June) the relative low abundance of all medusae species in this study makes jellyfish predation unlikely to be a factor controlling sprat recruitment in the time frame investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alheit J, Wahl E, Cihangir B (1987) Distribution, abundance, development rates, production and mortality of sprat eggs. ICES CM 1987/H:45

  • Alheit J, Möllmann C, Dutz J, Kornilovs G, Loewe P, Mohrholz V, Wasmund N (2005) Synchronous ecological regime shifts in the central Baltic and the North Sea in the late 1980s. ICES J Mar Sci 62:1205–1215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai MN (2001) Pelagic coelenterates and eutrophication: a review. Hydrobiologia 451:69–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aurich HJ (1941) Die Verbreitung der pelagischen Fischbrut in der südlichen Nordsee während der Frühjahrsfahrten 1926–1937 der deutschen Forschungsschiffe Poseidon und Makrele. Helgol wiss Meeresunters 2:184–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Båmstedt U, Martinussen MB, Matsakis S (1994) Trophodynamics of the two scyphozoan jellyfishes, Aurelia aurita and Cyanea capillata, in western Norway. ICES J Mar Sci 51:369–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Båmstedt U, Ishii H, Martinussen MB (1997) Is the scyphomedusa Cyanea capillata (L.) dependent on gelatinous prey for its early development? Sarsia 82:269–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barz K, Hirche H-J (2005) Seasonal development of scyphozoan medusae and the predatory impact of Aurelia aurita on the zooplankton community in the Bornholm Basin (central Baltic Sea). Mar Biol 147:465–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaugrand G (2003) Long-term changes in copepod abundance and diversity in the north-east Atlantic in relation to fluctuations in the hydroclimatic environment. Fish Oceanogr 12:270–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaugrand G (2004) The North Sea regime shift: evidence, causes, mechanisms and consequences. Prog Oceanogr 60:245–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaugrand G, Reid PC, Ibañez F, Lindley JA, Edwards M (2002) Reorganization of North Atlantic marine copepod biodiversity and climate. Science 296:1692–1694

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brewer RH (1976) Larval settling behaviour in Cyanea capillata (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa). Biol Bull 150:183–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brierley AS, Axelsen BE, Buecher E, Sparks CAJ, Boyer H, Gibbons MJ (2001) Acoustic observations of jellyfish in the Namibian Benguela. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 210:55–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodeur RD, Mills CE, Overland JE, Walters GE, Schumacher JD (1999) Evidence for a substansial increase in gelatinous zooplankton in the Bering Sea, with possible links to climate change. Fish Oceanogr 8:296–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodeur RD, Sugisaki H, Hunt GLJ (2002) Increases in jellyfish biomass in the Bering Sea: implications for the ecosystem. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 233:89–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creutzberg F, Eltink ATGW, Noort GJv (1978) The migration of plaice larvae Pleuronectes platessa into the western Wadden Sea. In: McLusky DS, Berry AJ (eds) Physiology and behaviour of marine organisms, Proceedings of 12th European marine biological symposium. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 243–251

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson MN, Martin LE, Penland LK (2001) Jellyfish swarms, tourists, and the christ-child. Hydrobiologia 451:131–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickmann M (2005) Feeding ecology of sprat (Sprattus sprattus L.) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus W.) larvae in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. PhD thesis, University of Rostock, Germany

  • Dittrich B (1988) Studies on the life cycle and reproduction of the parasitic amphipod Hyperia galba in the North Sea. Helgol Meeresunters 42:79–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fancett MS (1988) Diet and prey selectivity of scyphomedusae from Port Phillip Bay, Australia. Mar Biol 98:503–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham WM, Pages F, Hamner WM (2001) A physical context for gelatinous zooplankton aggregations: a review. Hydrobiologia 451:199–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gröndahl F (1988) A comparative ecological study on the scyphozoans Aurelia aurita, Cyanea capillata and C. lamarckii in the Gullmar Fjord, western Sweden, 1982 to 1986. Mar Biol 97:541–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gröndahl F, Hernroth L (1987) Release and growth of Cyanea capillata (L.) ephyrae in the Gullmar Fjord, western Sweden. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 106:91–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansson LJ (1997) Capture and digestion of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia aurita by Cyanea capillata and prey response to predator contact. J Plankton Res 19:195–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harding D, Nichols JH, Tungate DS (1978) The spawning of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the southern North Sea and English Channel. Rapp P-V Réun Cons Int Explor Mer 172:102–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartlaub C (1894) Die Coelenteraten Helgolands. Beiträge zur Meeresfauna von Helgoland 4, Wiss Meeresunters, N.F. 1:161–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay SJ, Hislop JRG, Shanks AM (1990) North Sea Scyphomedusae: summer distribution, estimated biomass and significance particularly for 0-group gadoid fish. Neth J Sea Res 25:113–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernroth L, Gröndahl F (1983) On the biology of Aurelia aurita (L.). 1. Release and growth of Aurelia aurita (L.) ephyrae in the Gullmar Fjord, western Sweden, 1982–83. Ophelia 22:189–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishii H, Tanaka F (2001) Food and feeding of Aurelia aurita in Tokyo Bay with an analysis of stomach contents and a measurement of digestion times. Hydrobiologia 451:311–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kändler R (1961) Über das Vorkommen von Fischbrut, Decapodenlarven und Medusen in der Kieler Förde. Kiel Meeresforsch 17:48–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopacz U (1994) Gelatinöses Zooplankton (Scyphomedusae, Hydromedusae, Ctenophora) und Chaetognatha im Sylter Wattgebiet. PhD thesis, University of Göttingen, Germany

  • Kühl H (1964) Die Scyphomedusen der Elbemündung. Veröff Inst Meeresforsch Bremerh 9:84–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Kühl H, Mann H (1967) Untersuchungen über das Plankton der Aussenelbe. Gewäss Abwäss 44/45:7–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Künne C (1952) Untersuchungen über das Grossplankton der Deutschen Bucht und im Nordsylter Wattenmeer. Helgol Wissenschaftliche Meeresunters 4:1–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynam CP, Brierley AS, Hay SJ (2004) Interannual variability in abundance of North Sea jellyfish and links to the North Atlantic oscillation. Limnol Oceanogr 49:637–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynam CP, Brierley AS, Hay SJ (2005a) Jellyfish abundance and climatic variation: contrasting responses in oceanographically distinct regions of the North Sea, and possible implications for fisheries. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 85:435–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynam CP, Brierley AS, Heath MR, Hay SJ (2005b) Evidence for impacts by jellyfish on North Sea herring recruitment. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 298:157–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynam CP, Gibbons MJ, Axelsen BE, Sparks CAJ, Coetzee J, Heywood BG, Brierley AS (2006) Jellyfish overtake fish in a heavily fished ecosystem. Curr Biol 16:R492–R493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinussen MB, Båmstedt U (1995) Diet, estimated daily food ration and predator impact by the scyphozoan jellyfishes Aurelia aurita and Cyanea capillata. Ecol Fjords Coastal Waters 127–148

  • Merck T (1989) Untersuchungen zur ökologischen Nische von Chrysaora hysoscella. Jahresbericht der Biologischen Anstalt Helgoland pp 53–54

  • Mills CE (2001) Jellyfish blooms: are populations increasing globally in response to changing ocean conditions? Hydrobiologia 451:55–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Möller H (1980a) Scyphomedusae as predators and food competitors of larval fish. Rep Mar Res 28:90–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Möller H (1980b) Population dynamics of Aurelia aurita Medusae in Kiel Bight, Germany (FRG). Mar Biol 60:123–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Möller H (1980c) A summer survey of large zooplankton, particularly Scyphomedusae, in North Sea and Baltic. Rep Mar Res 28:61–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Möller H (1984) Data on the biology of jellyfish and youngfish in Kiel Bight. H. Möller, Kiel, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutlu E (2001) Distribution and abundance of moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) and its zooplankton food in the Black Sea. Mar Biol 138:329–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niermann U, Bingel F, Ergün G, Greve W (1998) Fluctuation of dominant mesozooplankton species in the Black Sea, North Sea and the Baltic Sea: is a general trend recognisable? Turkish J Zool 22:63–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Omori M, Ishii H, Fujinaga Ai (1995) Life history strategy of Aurelia aurita (Cnidaria, Scyphomedusae) and its impact on the zooplankton community of Tokyo Bay. ICES J Mar Sci 52:597–603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olesen NJ, Frandsen K, Riisgard HU (1994) Population dynamics, growth and energetics of jellyfish Aurelia aurita in a shallow fjord. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 105:9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TR, Lalli CM (2002) Jellyfish population explosions: revisiting a hypothesis of possible causes. La Mer 40:111–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE (1985) Predation on fish eggs and larvae by pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores. Bull Mar Sci 37:739–755

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE (1991) A review of cnidarians and ctenophores feeding on competitors in the plankton. Hydrobiologia 216/217:335–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE (1992) Effects of predation by the scyphomedusan Chrysaora quinquecirrha on zooplankton populations in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 87:65–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE (2003) Predation on zooplankton by large jellyfish, Aurelia labiata, Cyanea capillata and Aequorea aequorea, in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 246:137–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE (2005) Climate effects on formation of jellyfish and ctenophore blooms: a review. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 85:461–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE, Arai MN (2001) Interactions of pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores with fish: a review. Hydrobiologia 451:27–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE, Sturdevant MV (2001) Prey selection and dietary overlap among zooplanktivorous jellyfish and juvenile fishes in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 210:67–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell JE, Nemazie DA, Dorsey SE, Houde ED, Gamble JC (1994) Predation mortality of bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli eggs and larvae due to scyphomedusae and ctenophores in Chesapeake Bay. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 114:47–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid PC, Edwards M, Beaugrand G, Skogen M, Stevens D (2003) Periodic changes in the zooplankton of the North Sea during the twentieth century linked to oceanic inflow. Fish Oceanogr 12:260–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russel FS (1970) The medusae of the British Isles. II Pelagic Scyphozoa with a supplement to the first volume on hydromedusae. Cambridge University Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G, Behrends G (1994) Population dynamics and the trophic role of Aurelia aurita medusae in the Kiel Bight and western Baltic. ICES J Mari Sci 51:359–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G, Behrends G (1998) Top-down control in a neritic plankton system by Aurelia aurita medusae—a summary. Ophelia 48:71–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiel ME (1966) Untersuchungen über die Herkunft, das Auftreten, das Wachstum und die Fortpflanzung von Rhizostoma octopus im Elbmündungsgebiet. Abh Verhand Naturwissensch Ver Hamburg 10:59–88

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Veer HW (1985) Impact of coelenterate predation on larval plaice Pleuronectes platessa and flounder Platichthys flesus stock in the western Wadden Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 25:229–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Veer HW, Oorthuysen W (1985) Abundance, growth and food demand of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita in the western Wadden Sea. Neth J Sea Res 19:38–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verwey J (1942) Die Periodizität im Auftreten und die aktiven und passiven Bewegungen der Quallen. Arch Neerl Zool 6:363–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang W, Kang B, Liu R (2005) Jellyfish blooms in the Yangtze Estuary. Science 307:41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youngbluth MJ, Båmstedt U (2001) Distribution, abundance, behavior and metabolism of Periphylla periphylla, a mesopelagic coronate medusa in a Norwegian fjord. Hydrobiologia 451:321–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the support of many colleagues and students in collecting and analysing medusae. We thank the crews of RV Alkor, Heincke and A. v. Humboldt. Many thanks also to Ulrike Holtz and Adrian Basilico for their help in examination of medusae and to Dr. Myron Peck for helpful editorial comments. Dr. Rainer Knust and Inken Suck provided the Mapit programme. This research was funded by GLOBEC Germany, BMBF 03F0320D.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Columbusstrasse, Bremerhaven, 27568, Germany

    Kristina Barz & Hans-Jürgen Hirche

Authors
  1. Kristina Barz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hans-Jürgen Hirche
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kristina Barz.

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barz, K., Hirche, HJ. Abundance, distribution and prey composition of scyphomedusae in the southern North Sea. Mar Biol 151, 1021–1033 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0545-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0545-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation