Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS24 The Ecology of Pelagic Gelatinous Zooplankton

Date: Monday, February 12, 2001, Time: 3:00:00 PM

Location: Acoma/Zuni/Tesuque

Raskoff, K, A, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, USA, kraskoff@mbari.org

Robison, B, H, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, USA, robr@mbari.org

DOLIOLID-CNIDARIAN INTERACTIONS: THE ECOLOGY OF A NOVEL MUTUALISTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOLIOPSIDS AND CNIDARIAN POLYPS

A description of the first known cnidarian-thaliacean mutualistic interaction is presented. Calycopsid anthomedusan polyps, believed to belong in the genus Bythotiara, were discovered associated with individual zooids of a new doliopsid (Thaliacea: Doliolida: Doliopsidae) collected from the mesopelagic waters of Monterey Bay using MBARI’s ROV Ventana. Sixteen polyp-bearing doliopsid colonies have been observed and collected over the last four years. Colonies were observed in situ and then brought back to the laboratory at MBARI and were maintained in aquaria. More than one hundred individual cnidarian polyps were removed from positions at the buccal siphon of their doliopsid host zooids, and were maintained in the laboratory until they released medusae. The morphology and taxonomy of the polyps and medusae are described. A novel tentacle-based asexual reproduction strategy is discussed. The relationship between the doliopsid and the polyp appears to be mutualistic, with the doliolid obtaining both nutrition and protection from the cnidarian polyps, while the polyps gain access to a mobile, food-rich habitat.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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