Trophodynamics of the scyphomedusae Aurelia aurita. Predation rate in relation to abundance, size and type of prey organism |
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Authors: | Bamstedt Ulf |
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Affiliation: | University of Göteborg, Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory PO Box 2781, S-4520 00 Strömstad, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Ephyra larvae and small medusae (1.795 mm diameter, 0.01350mg ash-free dry wt, AFDW) of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aureliaaurita were used in predation experiments with phytoplankton(the flagellate Isochrysis galbana, 4 µm diameter, {smalltilde}6 x 106 µg AFDW cell1), ciliates (theoligotrich Strombidium sulcatum, 28 µm diameter, {smalltilde}2 x 103 µg AFDW), rotifers (Synchaeta sp.,0.5 µg AFDW individual1) and mixed zooplankton(mainly copepods and cladocerans, 2.13.1 µg AFDWindividual1). Phytoplankton in natural concentrations(50200 µg C I1) were not utilized by largemedusae (4495 mm diameter). Ciliates in concentrationsfrom 0.5 to 50 individuals ml"1 were consumed by ephyra larvaeand small medusae (314 mm diameter) at a maximum predationrate of 171 prey day1, corresponding to a daily rationof 0.42%. The rotifer Synchaeta sp., offered in concentrationsof 100600 prey I1, resulted in daily rations ofephyra larvae (25 mm diameter) between 1 and 13%. Mixedzooplankton allowed the highest daily rations, usually in therange 540%. Large medusae (>45 mm diameter) consumedbetween 2000 and 3500 prey organisms day"1 in prey concentrationsexceeding 100 I1. Predation rate and daily ration werepositively correlated with prey abundance. Seen over a broadsize spectrum, the daily ration decreased with increased medusasize. The daily rations observed in high abundance of mixedzooplankton suggest a potential scope for growththat exceeds the growth rate observed in field populations,and this, in turn, suggests that the natural populations areusually food limited. The predicted predation rate at averageprey concentrations that are characteristic of neritic environmentscannot explain the maximum growth rates observed in field populations.It is therefore suggested that exploitation of patches of preyin high abundance is an important component in the trophodynamicsof this species. 1Present address: University of Bergen, Department of MarineBiology, N-5065 Blomsterdalen, Norway |
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