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MEPS 591:117-128 (2018)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12204

Hyposalinity and incremental micro-zooplankton supply in early-developed Nemopilema nomurai polyp survival, growth, and podocyst reproduction

Song Feng1,2, Jianing Lin3,4, Song Sun1,2,5,6,*, Fang Zhang1,2, Chaolun Li1,2

1CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
2Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
3State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
4Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
5Jiaozhou Bay Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
6University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
*Corresponding author: Advance View was available online September 5, 2017; subsequently updated October 27, 2017

ABSTRACT: Early-developed polyps of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai that are sexually produced during the rainy season form the principal recruitment for benthic population stages, regulating the mass outbreaks of medusae that occur in east Asian marginal seas. Their survival, development and subsequent asexual reproduction are likely facilitated by hyposaline seawater and potentially enhanced micro-zooplankton around the estuaries that comprise the major nurseries of medusae. In this study, 8-tentacled polyps that developed from planulae were incubated at 11 salinities from low to high (8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 31, 33) with 3 feeding frequencies (once every 3 d, once every 9 d, unfed; Brachionus plicatilis concentration: 0.16 mg C l-1) at a constant temperature (19°C). Survival rate of early-developed polyps increased 3-fold at salinities 11 to 20, >80% greater than at salinities 25 to 33. The composition of fully developed polyps, somatic growth, and podocyst diameter positively depended on food supply, except at salinity 8. The potential podocyst production of polyp colonization reached normal peak at salinity 20 in the group that was fed once every 3 d. Excystments were significantly restricted at salinity <20. These findings confirm that estuarine areas with salinities from 11 to 20 are appropriate for N. nomurai polyp colonization, where prospectively increasing micro-zooplankton supply rooted in frequent eutrophication may benefit polyps. An asexual reproduction strategy also corresponded with autumn salinity fluctuations. The intensity of diluted water and monsoonal rainfall, as well as plankton supply around the estuaries in autumn may fundamentally affect polyp abundance and size, determining the population size of medusae in the following spring.


KEY WORDS: Polyps · Low salinity · Survival · Growth · Podocyst reproduction


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Cite this article as: Feng S, Lin J, Sun S, Zhang F, Li C (2018) Hyposalinity and incremental micro-zooplankton supply in early-developed Nemopilema nomurai polyp survival, growth, and podocyst reproduction. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 591:117-128. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12204

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