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Predator-induced vertical behavior of a ctenophore

  • JELLYFISH BLOOMS
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Jellyfish Blooms IV

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 220))

Abstract

Although many studies have focused on Mnemiopsis leidyi predation, little is known about the role of this ctenophore as prey when abundant in native and invaded pelagic systems. We examined the response of the ctenophore M. leidyi to the predatory ctenophore Beroe ovata in an experiment in which the two species could potentially sense each other while being physically separated. On average, M. leidyi responded to the predator’s presence by increasing variability in swimming speeds and by lowering their vertical distribution. Such behavior may help explain field records of vertical migration, as well as stratified and near-bottom distributions of M. leidyi.

Guest editors: J. E. Purcell, H. Mianzan & J. R. Frost / Jellyfish Blooms: Interactions with Humans and Fisheries

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Acknowledgments

We thank J. E. Skjæraasen, P. Tiselius, E. Selander, T. Andersen, and reviewers for constructive comments. This is a contribution to Baltic Zooplankton Cascades (BAZOOCA) program funded by Baltic Organizations Network for funding Science, European Economic Interest Grouping (BONUS EEIG). We received financial support from Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS), Sweden (grant numbers 2007-1105 to LJH and JT; 2006-1054 and 2008-1586 to JT), the National Science Foundation, USA (grant numbers OCE-0350834 and OCE-0623508 to JHC; OCE-0351398 and OCE-0623534 to SPC.), Stiftelsen Konung Carl XVI Gustafs 50-årsfond för vetenskap, teknik och miljö (to JT), and Birgit och Birger Wåhlströms minnesfond (to JT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway

    Josefin Titelman

  2. Department of Marine Ecology-Göteborg, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Lars Johan Hansson

  3. Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Trygve Nilsen

  4. Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI, 02809, USA

    Sean P. Colin

  5. Biology Department, Providence College, 549 River Ave, Providence, RI, 02918-0001, USA

    John H. Costello

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  1. Josefin Titelman
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  2. Lars Johan Hansson
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  3. Trygve Nilsen
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  4. Sean P. Colin
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  5. John H. Costello
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josefin Titelman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Western Washington University, Shannon Point Marine Center, Shannon Point Road 1900, 98221, Anacortes, Washington, USA

    Jennifer Purcell

  2. INIDEP, Paseo V. Ocampo no. 1, 7602, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Hermes Mianzan

  3. School of Forest Resources and Conservat, Fisheries and Aquatic Science Program, University of Florida, NW 71st Street 7922, 32653, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Jesscia R. Frost

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Titelman, J., Hansson, L.J., Nilsen, T., Colin, S.P., Costello, J.H. (2012). Predator-induced vertical behavior of a ctenophore. In: Purcell, J., Mianzan, H., Frost, J.R. (eds) Jellyfish Blooms IV. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 220. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5316-7_14

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