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News Release 11-115

Jellyfish Blooms Transfer Food Energy From Fish to Bacteria

Impact on ocean food webs likely to increase in the future

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Photo of the jellyfish Chrysaora quinquecirrha.

Species of jellyfish called Chrysaora quinquecirrha, one of two jellyfish species in the study.

Credit: Rob Condon


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A plankton tow was conducted over a two-minute period in surface waters. It shows the typical size of a ctenophore bloom. The slimy material is the dissolved organic matter (DOM) or jelly-DOM released by the jellyfish, and is also used by bacteria for respiration.

Credit: Juliette Giordano and Molly Bogeberg

 

Photo of another species of Chrysaora that blooms along the U.S. West Coast.

Another species of Chrysaora; this one forms "blooms" along the U.S. West Coast.

Credit: Rob Condon


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Photo of Rob Condon in Bermuda with Portuguese Man-o-War jelly washed up on beach.

Marine scientist Rob Condon in Bermuda with Portuguese Man-o-War jelly washed up on beach.

Credit: Elizabeth Condon


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Photo of bloom of moon jellies, Aurelia aurita, in Chesapeake Bay.

Bloom of moon jellies, Aurelia aurita, in Chesapeake Bay; thousands of jellies aggregate together.

Credit: Scott Kupiec


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Photo of the experimental set-up of bacteria metabolism experiments used in the jellyfish study.

Experimental set-up of bacteria metabolism experiments used in the jellyfish study.

Credit: Elizabeth Condon


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Photo of sample tubes for oxygen measurement, used to determine bacterial respiration.

Sample tubes for oxygen measurement, used to determine bacterial respiration.

Credit: Elizabeth Condon


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