Symbionts of marine medusae and ctenophores

Abstract

Abstract:Since marine medusae and ctenophores harbor a wide variety of symbionts, from protists to fish, they constitute a unique community in pelagic ecosystems. Their symbiotic relationships broadly range from simple, facultative phoresy through parasitisim to complex mutualism, although it is sometimes difficult to define these associations strictly. Phoresy and/or commensalism are found in symbionts such as pycnogonids, decapod larvae and fish juveniles. Parasitism and/or parasitoidism are common in the following symbionts: dinoflagellates, ciliates, anthozoan larvae, pedunculate barnacles, anuropid isopods, and hyperiid amphipods. Mutualism is established between ctenophores and gymnamoebae, and between rhizostome medusae and endosymbiotic dinoflagellates. More information on symbiotic apostome ciliates, anthozoan larvae and hyperiid amphipods is definitely needed for further studies in consideration of their high prevalence and serious damage they can inflict on their hosts. The present paper briefly reviews previously published data on symbionts on these gelatinous predators and introduces new information in the form of our unpublished data.

Associations of fish juveniles with rhizostome jellyfishes in the Philippines, with taxonomic remarks on a commercially harvested species in Carigara Bay, Leyte Island

“…Large jellyfish can harbor a wide variety of symbionts such as dinoflagellates, cnidarians, helminths, crustaceans, ophiuroids and fishes (Mansueti 1963, Thiel 1970, 1978, Arai 1997, Purcell & Arai 2001, Ohtsuka et al 2009. However, their symbiotic interactions are highly diversified, ranging from phoresy through parasitoidism to mutualism (Ohtsuka et al 2009).…”

“…Large jellyfish can harbor a wide variety of symbionts such as dinoflagellates, cnidarians, helminths, crustaceans, ophiuroids and fishes (Mansueti 1963, Thiel 1970, 1978, Arai 1997, Purcell & Arai 2001, Ohtsuka et al 2009. However, their symbiotic interactions are highly diversified, ranging from phoresy through parasitoidism to mutualism (Ohtsuka et al 2009). We have been intensively investigating symbioses between jellyfish and other organisms in Asian waters since 2008, and found that juveniles of the shrimp scad Alepes djedaba (Forsskål) is widely associated with many species of large jellyfish in tropical Asian waters (Ohtsuka et al 2010).…”

Phyllosomas of smooth fan lobsters (<i>Ibacus novemdentatus</i>) encase jellyfish cnidae in peritrophic membranes in their feces

“…During nematocyst discharge, venom-filled tubules explosively penetrate the cuticle of the prey (Tardent & Holstein 1982, Purcell 1984 and inject their venom through the tubules (Lotan et al 1996, Yanagihara et al 2002. Despite the potency of venom in jellyfish, phyllosomas of spiny (Palinuridae) and slipper (Scyllaridae) lobsters often associate with gelatinous zooplankton, including jellyfish (Booth et al 2005, Ates et al 2007, Ohtsuka et al 2009, O Rorke et al 2014. Indeed the phyllosomas of Ibacus novemdentatus Gibbes, 1850 (Decapoda: Achelata: Scyllaridae) have been reported to ride and prey on cnidarian jellyfish in the wild (Shojima 1963).…”

Bases morfo-funcionais da alimentação e o papel trófico de iLychnorhiza lucerna (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae)

“…Seus volumosos corpos com estruturas como braços orais e pórticos genitais, oferecem micro ambientes onde vivem peixes juvenis (Ohtsuka et al, 2009), caranguejos (Nogueira Jr. & Haddad, 2005), tremátodes Nogueira Jr et al, 2014) e camarões (Martinelli Fº et al, 2008).…”

“…Esses simbiontes buscam proteção contra predadores, parasitam as medusas, ingerem suas presas e outros simbiontes (Ohtsuka et al, 2009). Mais recentemente, especulouse que organismos simbiontes e predadores de gelatinosos, poderiam estar aumentando juntamente com o aumento de populações de gelatinosos (Utne-Palm et al, 2010).…”