Abstract
Seasonal occurrence, individual growth and development of population biomass of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita were studied in 1978–1979 in the western Baltic Sea. First ephyrae of the developing population appear in November, but the great majority are produced in April and May. On the average 0.09 medusae m-3 with a biomass of 25 g occur between July and September. The standing stock is below 10 mg from December to April. Growth is characterized by a stagnation period in winter and early spring, by rapid increase in early summer and by size reduction in autumn after release of gonadal products. The maximum monthly growth rate was observed in June, when the average diameter increased from 7 to 48 mm and the wet weight from 0.06 to 22.8 g. Mortality is low before maturation. Genetical determination, starvation and parasitization are discussed as causes for morphological reductions and finally for death in autumn.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Aurivillius, C. W.: Vergleichende tiergeographische Untersuchungen über die Plankton-Faunna des Skagerraks in den Jahren 1893–1897. K. Svenska Vet. Akad. Handl., 1–426 (1898)
Bodungen, B. von: Der Jahresgang der Nährsalze und der Primärproduktion des Planktons in der Kieler Bucht unter Berücksichtigung der Hydrographie. 116 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1975
Bröckel, K. von: Der Energiefluß im pelagischen Ökosystem vor Boknis Eck (westl. Ostsee). 98 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1975
Cushing, D. H., G. F. Humphrey, K. Banse and K. Laevastu: Report of the committee on terms and equivalents. Rapp. P.-v. Réun. CIEM 144, 15–16 (1959)
Dahl, E.: The hyperiid amphipod, Hyperia galba, a true ectoparasite on jelly-fish. Univ. Bergen Årb., nat. Rekke 9, 1–8 (1959)
Davidson, V. M. and A. G. Huntsman: The causation of diatom maxima. Trans. R. Soc. Can., ser. 5, 20, 119–125 (1926)
Delap, M. J.: Notes on the rearing, in an aquarium, of Aurelia aurita L. and Pelagia perla (Slabber). Rep. Sea Inld Fish. Ireland 1905 (II), 160–164 (1907)
Fraser, J. H.: Experimental feeding of some medusae and chaetognaths. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 26, 1743–1762 (1969)
Hay, S. J. and J. R. Hislop: The distribution and abundance of scyphomedusae in the North Sea during the summer of 1978. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea, C.M./L: 35 (1979)
Hamner, W. M. and R. M. Jenssen: Growth, degrowth, and irreversible cell differentiation in Aurelia aurita. Am. Zool. 14, 833–849 (1974)
Hillebrandt, M.: Untersuchungen über die qualitative und quantitative Zusammensetzung des Zooplanktons in der Kieler Bucht während der Jahre 1966–1968. 138 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1972
Kerstan, M.: Untersuchungen zur Nahrungsökologie von Aurelia aurita Lam. 95 pp. Diplomarbeit, Kiel University 1977
Kramp, P. L.: Polypdyr (Coelenterata) II. Gopler. Danmarks Fauna 43, 1–223 (1937)
Krüger, F.: Stoffwechsel und Wachstum bei Scyphomedusen. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 18, 367–383 (1968)
Lohmann, H.: Untersuchung zur Feststellung des vollständigen Gehaltes des Meeres an Plankton. Wiss. Meeresunters. Kiel 10, 129–370 (1908)
Martens, P.: Über die Qualität und Quantítät der Sekundär- und Primärproduzenten in einem marinen Flachwasserökosystem der westlichen Ostsee. 111 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1975
McIntosh, D. C.: Variation in Aurelia aurita. Proc. R. phys. Soc. Edinb. 18, 125–143 (1910)
Metz, P.: On the relations between Hyperia galba Montagu (hyperiidae, amphipoda) and its host Aurelia aurita (L.) in the Isefjord area (Sjaelland, Denmark). Vid. Meddr dansk naturhist. Foren. 150, 85–108 (1967)
Möller, H.: Significance of coelenterates in relation to other plankton organisms. Meeresforsch. 27, 1–18 (1979)
Möller, H.: A summer survey of large zooplankton, particularly scyphomedusae, in North Sea and Baltic. Meeresforsch. 28, 61–68 (1980a)
Möller, H.: Scyphomedusae as predators and food competitors of larval fish. Meeresforsch. (In press) (1980b)
Palmen, E.: Seasonal occurrence of ephyrae and subsequent instars of Aurelia aurita (L.) in the shallow waters of Tvärminne, S. Finland. Arch. Soc. zool. bot. fenn. Vanamo 8, 122–131 (1954)
Sars, M.: Ueber die Entwicklung der Medusa aurita und der Cyanea capillata. Arch. Naturgesch. 7, 9–34 (1841)
Schnack, S.: Untersuchungen zur Nahrungsbiologie der Copepoden (Crustaceen) in der Kieler Bucht. 146 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1975
Schnack, S.: Seasonal change of zooplankton in Kiel Bay. III. Calanoid copepods. Kieler Meeresforsch. Sonderh. 4, 201–209, (1978)
Smetacek, V.: Die Sukzession des Phytoplanktons in der westlichen Ostsee. 151 pp. Thesis, Kiel University 1975
Thiel, H.: Untersuchungen über die Strobilisation von Aurelia aurita Lam. an einer Population der Kieler Förde. Kieler Meeresforsch. 13, 198–230 (1962)
Thiel, M. E.: Beobachtungen über Wachstum, Variationen und Abnormitäten bei Cyanea capillata der Ostsee. Abh. Verh. naturwiss. Ver. Hamburg 4, 89–108 (1959)
Thill, H.: Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Aurelia aurita (L.). Z. wiss. Zool. 150, 51–96 (1937)
Ussing, H.: Bidrag til Aurelia aurita's biologi i Mariagerfjord. Vid. Meddr dansk naturhist. Foren. 84, 91–106 (1927)
Wikström, D. A.: Iakttagelser om öronmaneten (Aurelia aurita). Meddn Soc. Fauna Flora fenn. 47, 169–172 (1921)
Yasuda, T.: Ecological studies on the jelly-fish, Aurelia aurita, in Urazoko Bay, Fukui Prefecture-II. Occurrence pattern of the ephyra. Bull. Jap. Soc. sci. Fish. 34, 983–987 (1968)
Yasuda, T.: Ecological studies on the jelly-fish, Aurelia aurita, in Urazoko Bay, Fukui Prefecture-I. Occurrence pattern of the medusa. Bull. Jap. Soc. sci. Fish. 35, 1–6 (1969)
Yasuda, T.: Ecological studies of the jelly-fish, Aurelia aurita, in Urazoko Bay, Fukui Prefecture. IV. Monthly change in the bell-length composition and breeding season. Bull. Jap. Soc. sci. Fish. 37, 364–370 (1971)
Yasuda, T.: Studies on reproductive biology of harmful marine animals-the common jelly-fish, Aurelia aurita, along the coast of Wakasa, Japan Sea. Proc. 7th Japan-Soviet Joint Symp. Aquaculture, Tokyo, 185–195 1979
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Möller, H. Population dynamics of Aurelia aurita medusae in Kiel Bight, Germany (FRG). Marine Biology 60, 123–128 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389155
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389155