Jellyfish cycle

Fig. 4.5.1 Life cycle of the scyphozoan jellyfish Periphylla periphylla, counterclockwise from egg (white, about 1 mm diameter) to mature adult (orange-red, about 15 cm diameter, 400 g weight). This illustration is a gift from Dr. Per Flood.

Luminiferous animal organisms are well known. Examples include the small sea animal Noctiluca miliaris, the firefly Lampyris noctiluca and the lamp jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca. The amazing light emission produced by these species is due to luciferasc catalysts, whose coferment luciferin (molecular formula below) can regulate the bioluminescence processes by means of its action in redox and light transfer cycles. 

Thomas (2001). Thomas CS, Scott SA, Galanis DJ, et al. Box jellyfish (Carybdea alata) in Waikiki their influx cycle plus the analgesic effect of hot and cold packs on their stings to swimmers at the beach a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Haw Med J 2001 60 100-107. 

To feed captive jellyfish requires basic knowledge of the feeding behaviour of the species in their natural environment (Table 13.2). Most jellyfish and ctenophores are predators and most require living prey. The best is to feed with fresh zooplankton, but few caretakers have daily access. Feeding jellyfish with a variety of items is very important to ensure the growth. Newly-hatched Anemia salina nauplii are used to feed most jellies. This serves well as the basis during the entire life-cycle however, nutritional supplements are necessary. Without additions to their diets, captive jellyfish become deformed and may die. Dietary additives (encapsulated diets, e.g. produced by INVE) for A. salina nauplii are commercially available. 

OLARIAGA A and Giu J-M (2011) Life cycle of the jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (Scyphozoa Rhizostomeae) and its distribution, seasonality and inter-annual variability along the Catalan coast and the Mar Menor (Spain, NW Mediterranean) , Mar Biol, 158,2247-2266. 

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