Life cycle ofRhopilema nomadica: a new immigrant scyphomedusan in the Mediterranean |
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Authors: | A Lotan R Ben-Hillel Y Loya |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel |
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Abstract: | Rhopilema nomadica is an Indopacific scyphomedusan, which has migrated into the eastern Mediterranean in recent years. Large aggregations of the medusae were recorded in Haifa Bay, Israel, reaching 5.5×105 medusae per square nautical mile during summer 1989. The life cycle ofR. nomadica from planula to young medusa is described. Fertilization is external and planulae are formed within a few hours at 20°C. After settlement, polyps were fed withArtemia sp. nauplii and developed into polydisc strobilae within 45 d. The strobilation process was completed within 7 d, and the liberated ephyrae developed into young medusae within 2 mo. Asexual reproduction occurred mainly via podocyst formation. The population explosion ofR. nomadica could be attributed to its high reproductive potential. |
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