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Seasonal patterns in size and abundance of Phyllorhiza punctata: an invasive scyphomedusa in coastal Georgia (USA)

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Abstract

Phyllorhizapunctata, commonly called the Australian white spotted jellyfish, invaded the Caribbean in the 1960s, becoming established there and subsequently in the United States in the northern Gulf of Mexico (by 2000) and eastern Florida (2001). With the prevailing Loop Current flowing clockwise around the Gulf of Mexico and joining the Gulf Stream along eastern Florida, potential transport of P. punctata along the eastern seaboard of the USA could be facilitated. P. punctata medusae were collected in small numbers along the entire Georgia coast during May–November in 2007 and 2008. Medusa bell diameters increased both years from ca. 10 cm in May to ca. 33 cm in autumn. Specimens lacked zooxanthellae, as reported for medusae in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Florida. It is possible that the P. punctata medusae observed were transported from established populations to the south; however, whether or not this species is established along the Georgia coast has yet to be determined.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by US National Science Foundation grants OCE-0545312, OCE-0825999, OCE-1031263 and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. A. Boyette drafted the figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA, 31411, USA

    Peter G. Verity & M. E. Frischer

  2. Western Washington University, Shannon Point Marine Center, 1900 Shannon Point Road, Anacortes, WA, 98221, USA

    J. E. Purcell

Authors
  1. Peter G. Verity
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  2. J. E. Purcell
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  3. M. E. Frischer
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Correspondence to J. E. Purcell.

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Communicated by U. Sommer.

Peter G. Verity Deceased, December 2009.

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Verity, P.G., Purcell, J.E. & Frischer, M.E. Seasonal patterns in size and abundance of Phyllorhiza punctata: an invasive scyphomedusa in coastal Georgia (USA). Mar Biol 158, 2219–2226 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1727-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1727-2

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