Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Avoidance of hydrodynamically mixed environments by Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora: Lobata) in open-sea populations from Patagonia, Argentina

  • Jellyfish Blooms
  • Chapter
Jellyfish Blooms: New Problems and Solutions

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology 212 ((DIHY,volume 212))

  • 958 Accesses

Abstract

Biomass distributions of the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, were collected during a week-long survey program in a tidal front along the Patagonian shelf in December 1989. Average ctenophore biomass concentrations varied significantly along a north–south gradient and in stratified compared to unstratified waters. The relative vertical distribution of M. leidyi biomass appeared to be constrained by surface levels of vertical shear. Vertical distributions of ctenophore biomass were highly variable at low levels of vertical shear (<4 s−1) at the surface, but at higher levels of surface vertical shear ctenophores occurred deeper in the water column where shear levels were lower. These results indicate that physical conditions are important factors influencing the distribution of M. leidyi along the Patagonian shelf during summer months.

Guest editors: J. E. Purcell & Dror Angel / Jellyfish Blooms: New Problems and Solutions

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Acha, E. M., H. Mianzan, R. A. Guerrero, J. Bava & M. Favero, 2004. Marine fronts at the continental shelves of austral South America. Physical and ecological processes. Journal of Marine Systems 44: 83–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alheit, J., J. Ciechomski, L. Djurfeldt, C. Ebel, M. Ehrlich, J. Elgue, G. Mantero, Y. Matsuura, H. Mianzan, W. Nellen, C. Oderbretch, F. Ramírez, R. Sanchez, G. Shaffer & M. Viñas, 1991. SARP studies on Southwest Atlantic anchovy, Engraulis anchoita off Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. ICES Annual Meeting, France 46(V): 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez Colombo, G., H. Mianzan & A. Madirolas, 2003. Acoustic characterization of gelatinous plankton aggregations: four study cases from the argentine continental shelf. ICES Journal of Marine Science 60: 650–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakun, A. & R. H. Parrish, 1991. Comparative studies of coastal pelagic fish reproductive habitats: the anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) of the southwestern Atlantic. ICES Journal of Marine Science 48: 343–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boersma, M., A. M. Malzahn, W. Greve & J. Javidpour, 2007. The first occurrence of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the North Sea. Helgoland Marine Research 61: 153–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carreto, J. I., H. R. Benavides, R. M. Negri & P. D. Glorioso, 1986. Toxic red-tide in the Argentine Sea. Phytoplankton distribution and survival of the toxic dinoflagellate Gonyaulax excavata in a frontal area. Journal of Plankton Research 8: 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costello, J. H. & H. Mianzan, 2003. Sampling field distributions of Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora, Lobata): planktonic or benthic methods? Journal of Plankton Research 25: 455–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costello, J. H., R. Loftus & R. Waggett, 1999. The influence of prey detection on capture success by the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi feeding upon adult Acartia tonsa and Oithona colcarva copepods. Marine Ecology Progress Series 191: 207–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costello, J. H., B. K. Sullivan, D. J. Gifford, D. Van Keuren & L. J. Sullivan, 2006. Seasonal refugia, shoreward thermal amplification, and metapopulation dynamics of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 1819–1831.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faasse, M. A. & K. M. Bayha, 2006. The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 in coastal waters of the Netherlands: an unrecognized invasion? Aquatic Invasions 1: 270–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes, V., D. Atienza, J. M. Gili & J. E. Purcell, 2009. First records of Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 off the NW Mediterranean coast of Spain. Aquatic Invasions 4: 671–674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection), 1997. Opportunistic settlers and the problem of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi invasion in the Black Sea. Report Study GESAMP 58: 84 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glorioso, P., 1987. Temperature distribution related to shelf-sea fronts on the Patagonian shelf. Continental Shelf Research 7: 27–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glorioso, P., 2000. Patagonian shelf 3D tide and surge model. Journal of Marine Systems 24(1–2): 141–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glorioso, P. D. & R. A. Flather, 1995. A barotropic model of the currents off SE South America. Journal of Geophysical Research 100: 13427–13440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glorioso, P. D. & J. H. Simpson, 1994. Numerical modelling of the M2 tide on the northern Patagonian Shelf. Continental Shelf Research 1(2–3): 267–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansson, H. G., 2006. Ctenophores of the Baltic and adjacent Seas – the invader Mnemiopsis is here!. Aquatic Invasions 1: 295–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harbison, G. R. & S. P. Volovik, 1994. The ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, in the Black Sea: a holoplanktonic organism transported in the ballast water of ships. In Nonindigenous Estuarine and Marine Organisms (NEMO), Proceedings of the Conference and Workshop, Seattle, WA, April 1993. U. S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington, DC: 25–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanov, V., A. M. Kamakin, V. B. Ushivtzev, T. A. Shiganova, O. Zhukova, N. Aladin, S. I. Wilson, G. R. Harbison & H. J. Dumont, 2000. Invasion of the Caspian Sea by the comb jellyfish Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora). Biological Invasions 2: 255–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javidpour, J., U. Sommer & T. Shiganova, 2006. First record of Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 in the Baltic Sea. Aquatic Invasions 1: 299–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, P., 1975. The ecology of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in Narragansett Bay. Ph.D. thesis, University of Rhode Island.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, P., 1994. Patterns of abundance for Mnemiopsis in US coastal waters: a comparative overview. ICES Journal of Marine Science 51: 347–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, P. & S. Nixon, 1976. Distribution and abundance of the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi in Narragansett Bay. Estuarine, Coastal and Marine Science 4: 627–639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kube, S., L. Postel, C. Honnef & C. B. Augustin, 2007. Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic Sea – distribution and overwintering between autumn 2006 and spring 2007. Aquatic Invasions 2: 137–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longhurst, A., 1998. Ecological Geography of the Sea. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA: 398 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lozovatsky, I. D., E. Roget, H. J. S. Fernando, M. Figuero & S. Shapovalov, 2006. Sheared turbulence in a weakly stratified upper ocean. Deep-Sea Research I 53: 387–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martos, P. & R. P. Sánchez, 1997. Caracterización oceanográfica de regiones frontales en la plataforma Patagónica en relación con áreas de desove y cría de la anchoita (Engraulis anchoita). Coloquio Argentino de Oceanografía, IAPSO-IADO (Conicet), Septiembre 1997 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mianzan, H., 1999. Ctenophora. In Boltovskoy, D. (ed.), South Atlantic Zooplankton. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden: 561–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mianzan, H. & R. Guerrero, 2000. Environmental patterns and biomass distribution of gelatinous macrozooplankton. Three study cases in the Southwestern Atlantic. Scientia Marina 64(Suppl. 1): 215–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G. R., 1966. The flux of tidal energy out of the deep oceans. Journal of Geophysical Research 71: 2485–2489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R. J., 1974. Distribution and biomass of an estuarine Ctenophore population, Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassiz). Chesapeake Science 15: 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Möhlenkamp, M., 1996. Untersuchungen zur kleinskaligen Verteilung von Mikro- und Mesozooplankton im oberen Pelagial des südamerikanischen Schelfmeeres unter Erprobung eines neuen automatischen Messgeråtes. Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades am Fachbereich Biologie der Universitåt Hamburg: 112 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutlu, E., 1999. Distribution and abundance of ctenophores and their zooplankton food in the Black Sea. II. Mnemiopsis leidyi. Marine Biology 135: 603–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nellen, W., 1990. Working report on Cruise N° 11, Leg 3 of RV METEOR. Institut Hydrobiolische Fischereissenschaftich 9: 158 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, O. M. P., 2007. The presence of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Oslofjorden and considerations on the initial invasion pathways to the North and Baltic seas. Aquatic Invasions 2: 185–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piola, A. R. & A. L. Rivas, 1997. Corrientes de la plataforma continental. In Boschi, E. E. (ed.), El Mar Argentino y sus recursos pesqueros. 1. Antecedentes históricos de las exploraciones en el mar y las características ambientales. Publicación Especial INIDEP, Mar del Plata: 119–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell, J. E. & M. B. Decker, 2005. Effects of climate on relative predation by scyphomedusae and ctenophores on copepods in Chesapeake Bay during 1987–2000. Limnology and Oceanography 50: 376–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell, J. E., D. A. Nemazie, S. E. Dorsey, E. D. Houde & J. C. Gamble, 1994. Predation mortality of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) eggs and larvae due to scyphomedusae and ctenophores in Chesapeake Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 114: 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell, J. E., D. L. Breitburg, M. B. Decker, W. M. Graham, M. J. Youngbluth & K. A. Raskoff, 2001a. Pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores in low dissolved oxygen environments: a review. In Rabalais, N. N. & R. E. Turner (eds), Coastal and Estuarine Studies 58: Coastal Hypoxia: Consequences for Living Resources and Ecosystems. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC: 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell, J. E., T. A. Shiganova, M. B. Decker & E. D. Houde, 2001b. The Ctenophore Mnemiopsis in native and exotic habitats: U.S. estuaries versus the Black Sea basin. Hydrobiologia 451: 145–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakow, K. C. & W. M. Graham, 2006. Orientation and swimming mechanics by the scyphomedusa Aurelia sp. in shear flow. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 1097–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rapoza, R., D. Novak & J. H. Costello, 2005. Life-stage dependent, in situ dietary patterns of the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz 1865. Journal of Plankton Research 27: 951–956.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, M. R. & M. A. Walter, 1978. Nutritional ecology of ctenophores – a review of recent research. Advances in Marine Biology 15: 249–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatini, M. & P. Martos, 2002. Mesozooplankton features in a frontal area off northern Patagonia (Argentina) during spring 1995 and 1998. Scientia Marina 66: 215–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saiz, E. & T. Kiørboe, 1995. Predatory and suspension feeding of the copepod Acartia tonsa in turbulent environments. Marine Ecology Progress Series 122: 147–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saiz, E., M. Alcaraz & A. Paffenhoffer, 1992. Effects of small-scale turbulence on feeding rate and gross-growth efficiency of three Acartia species (Copepoda: Calanoida). Journal of Plankton Research 14: 1085–1097.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, R. P., J. Alheit, P. Martos & M. Pájaro, 1998. The spawning and early life of Engraulis anchoita in the tidal front off Patagonia. ICES Annual Meeting, Cascais, Portugal, 16–19 September, ICES C.M. 1998/R:1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shiganova, T. & A. Malej, 2009. Native and non-native ctenophores in the Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea. Journal of Plankton Research 31: 61–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiganova, T. A., A. E. Kideys, A. S. Gucu, U. Niermann & V. S. Khoroshilov, 1998. Changes of species diversity and their abundances in the main components of pelagic community during last decades. In Ivanov, L. & T. Oguz (eds), Ecosystem Modelling and Management Tool for the Black Sea. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 171–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shiganova, T. A., E. I. Musaeva, Y. V. Bulgakova, Z. A. Mirzoyan & M. L. Martynuk, 2003. Ctenophores invaders Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassiz), Beroe ovata Mayer 1912 and their effect on the pelagic ecosystem of the north-eastern Black Sea. Biological Bulletin 2: 225–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. H., 1981. The shelf-sea fronts: implications of their existence and behaviour. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 302 A: 531–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Studenikina, E. I., S. R. Volovik, Z. A. Mirzoyan & G. I. Luts, 1991. Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Azov Sea. Okeanologiya 31: 722–725.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonini, M., E. D. Palma & A. Rivas, 2007. Simulación Numérica de la Circulación y Frentes Térmicos en los Golfos Norpatagónicos. Mecánica Computacional XXVI: 3757–3768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viñas, M. D. & F. C. Ramírez, 1996. Gut analysis of first-feeding anchovy larvae from the Patagonian spawning areas in relation to food availability. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 43: 231–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Visser, A. W., 2007. Motility of zooplankton: fitness, foraging and predation. Journal of Plankton Research 29: 447–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, A. W., H. Saito, E. Saiz & T. Kiørboe, 2001. Observations of copepod feeding and vertical distribution under natural turbulent conditions in the North Sea. Marine Biology 138: 1011–1019.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, A. W., P. Mariani & S. Pigolotti, 2009. Swimming in turbulence: zooplankton fitness in terms of foraging efficiency and predation risk. Journal of Plankton Research 31: 121–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waggett, R. & J. H. Costello, 1999. Different mechanisms used by the lobate ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, to capture nauplii and adult life stages of the copepod Acartia tonsa. Journal of Plankton Research 21: 2037–2052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaika, V. & N. I. Ivanova, 1992. The ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi in the autumn hyponeuston of the Black Sea. Ecologia Moyra 42: 6–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaika, V. & N. Sergeeva, 1991. Daily changes in population structure and vertical distribution of ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi Mayer (Ctenophora) in the Black Sea. Hydrobiology Journal 27: 15–19 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CONICET-INIDEP, P. Victoria Ocampo nº 1, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Hermes W. Mianzan

  2. Department of Marine Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata – INIDEP, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Patricia Martos & Raúl A. Guerrero

  3. Biology Department, Providence College, 02918-0001, Providence, RI, USA

    John H. Costello

Authors
  1. Hermes W. Mianzan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patricia Martos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John H. Costello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Raúl A. Guerrero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hermes W. Mianzan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University, 1900 Shannon Point Rd, 98221, WA, Anacortes, USA

    Jennifer E. Purcell

  2. Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, University College Cork, Naval Base, Haulbowline Island, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland

    Jennifer E. Purcell

  3. Department of Maritime Civilizations, Leon Recanati Institute of Maritime Studies, Haifa University, 31905, Mt Carmel, Haifa, Israel

    Dror L. Angel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mianzan, H.W., Martos, P., Costello, J.H., Guerrero, R.A. (2010). Avoidance of hydrodynamically mixed environments by Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora: Lobata) in open-sea populations from Patagonia, Argentina. In: Purcell, J.E., Angel, D.L. (eds) Jellyfish Blooms: New Problems and Solutions. Developments in Hydrobiology 212, vol 212. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9541-1_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation