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Documentation of potential courtship-behaviour in Periphylla periphylla (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2008

Henry Tiemann*
Affiliation:
University of Hamburg, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Science, Biocenter Grindel and Zoological Museum, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany
Ilka Sötje
Affiliation:
University of Hamburg, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Science, Biocenter Grindel and Zoological Museum, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany
Blair D. Johnston
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
Per R. Flood
Affiliation:
Bathybiologica A/S, Gerhard Gransvei 58, N-5081 Landaas, Bergen, Norway
Ulf Båmstedt
Affiliation:
University of Umeå, Umeå Marine Science Centre, Norrbyn, Se-91020 Hörnefors, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Henry Tiemann, Biocenter Grindel and Zoological Museum, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany email: henry.tiemann@zoologie.uni-hamburg.de

Abstract

The distribution pattern and nocturnal surface behaviour of the deep-sea medusa Periphylla periphylla in a Norwegian fjord was studied. Medusa abundance, size distribution and condition were determined, using surface collections, net tows and ROV-based video profiles. Only larger, mature medusae reached the surface and aggregated into small groups of both sexes, whereas juvenile medusae remained in deeper waters. Observations on the behaviour and cytology of aggregated medusae suggested a mating strategy. We hypothesize that this behaviour is the by-product of a holopelagic life history, developed in a more oceanic deep environment with low species abundance, as surface aggregation increases the chance of encounter and mating.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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