Low oxygen conditions caused by climate change and eutrophication, are expected to shift the distribution of species that are sensitive to hypoxia. Hypoxia sensitivity varies strongly between species and in general, jellyfish are regarded to be more tolerant to low oxygen conditions compared to fish. Zooplanktivorous fish compete with jellyfish for trophic resources, therefore, oxygen could lead to a competitive advantage of jellyfish over fish. In this study, we combine a literature review about the hypoxia tolerance of different zooplanktivorous fish species, with laboratory experiments to assess the effect of low oxygen conditions on jellyfish feeding rates. We used the jellyfish Sarsia tubulosa (Hydrozoa) and Aurelia aurita (Scyphozoa) and tested feeding rates in relation to high (7 mgO2L-1), intermediate (5 mgO2L-1), and low (2 mgO2L-1) oxygen levels. Our results show no significant effect of oxygen concentration on feeding rates for neither S. tubulosa nor A. aurita ephyra or medusa life stages. Our results indicate that the tested jellyfish species and life stages have a potential competitive advantage over certain fish species at low oxygen levels. Thus, ongoing de-oxygenation in coastal areas could favor jellyfish over fish under climate change.
Primary Presenter: Marie Meffre, MARBEC, University of Montpellier (marie.meffre@gmail.com)
Authors:
Marie Meffre, MARBEC, University of Montpellier, Place Eugène Bataillon, Cedex 05, 34095 Montpellier, France (marie.meffre@gmail.com)
Delphine Bonnet, MARBEC, University of Montpellier, Place Eugène Bataillon, Cedex 05, 34095 Montpellier, France (delphine.bonnet@umontpellier.fr)
Cornelia Jaspers, Centre for Gelatinous Plankton Ecology & Evolution, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Aqua, Kemitorvet 201, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark (coja@aqua.dtu.dk)
EFFECT OF OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ON THE CLEARANCE RATE OF SARSIA TUBULOSA (CNIDARIA, HYDROZOA) AND AURELIA AURITA (CNIDARIA, SCYPHOZOA) EPHYRAE AND MEDUSAE
Category
Scientific Sessions > SS056 Jellyfish in the Changing Ocean
Description
Time: 06:30 PM
Date: 7/6/2023
Room: Mezzanine