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The elusive life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish – metagenesis revisited
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The elusive life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish – metagenesis revisited

J. Ceh, J. Gonzalez, A.S. Pacheco and J.M. Riascos
Scientific Reports, Vol.5, Article 12037
2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep12037
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Abstract

Massive proliferations of scyphozoan jellyfish considerably affect human industries and irreversibly change food webs. Efforts to understand the role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems are based on a life cycle model described 200 years ago. According to this paradigm the pelagic medusae is considered seasonal and alternates with the benthic polyp stage from which it derives. However, we provide evidence that a) the occurrence of several species of medusae is not restricted to a season in the year, they overwinter, b) polyp- and medusa generations are neither temporally nor spatially separated, and c) "metagenesis" which is defined as the alternation between sexual and asexual generations does not always occur. Hence we recommend additions to the current model and argue that the scyphozoan life cycle should be considered multi-modal, rather than metagenetic. The implications of these findings for jellyfish proliferations, including possible consequences and associated environmental drivers, are discussed.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#13 Climate Action
#14 Life Below Water

Source: InCites

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212 Record Views
54 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.2 Marine Biology
3.2.1032 Marine Zooplankton
Web Of Science research areas
Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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