Abstract
Rhopilema nomadica is an Indopacific scyphomedusan, which has migrated into the eastern Mediterranean in recent years. Large aggregations of the medusae were recorded in Haifa Bay, Israel, reaching 5.5×105 medusae per square nautical mile during summer 1989. The life cycle of R. nomadica from planula to young medusa is described. Fertilization is external and planulae are formed within a few hours at 20°C. After settlement, polyps were fed with Artemia sp. nauplii and developed into polydisc strobilae within 45 d. The strobilation process was completed within 7 d, and the liberated ephyrae developed into young medusae within 2 mo. Asexual reproduction occurred mainly via podocyst formation. The population explosion of R. nomadica could be attributed to its high reproductive potential.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 237-242 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Marine Biology |
Volume | 112 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1992 |