A comparative review of macromedusae in eastern boundary currents

Authors

• Mark J. Gibbons, University of the Western Cape
• Heidi Skrypzeck, University of the Western Cape
• Richard D. Brodeur, NOAA National Marine Fisheries ServiceFollow
• José M. Riascos, Universidad de Antioquia
• Javier A.Quiñones Dávila, Instituto del Mar del Peru
• Cecilia A.F. Grobler, Lüderitz Marine Research Centre
• Jean Paul Roux, SEACODE and Namibia Nature Foundation
• John C. Field, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office
• Elizabeth A. Daly, Oregon State University
• Rebecca R. Miller, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office
• Verena Ras, University of the Western Cape
• Agustin Schiariti, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo Pesquero
• Luciano Chiaverano, University of Southern Mississippi
• Beau M. Tjizoo, National Marine Information and Research Centre
• Laura Prieto, CSIC - Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucia (ICMAN)
• Hounaida F. Idrissi, Institut National de Recherche Halieutique
• Sergio Palma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-11-2021

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

The productive eastern boundary current (EBC) systems provide significant sources of global marine protein and have been subject to intense research over the last 50 years. Yet large jellyfish, which are present in all four major systems, have seldom been included in otherwise comprehensive reviews. This undoubtedly reflects their lack of intrinsic commercial value, and the consequently slow pace of knowledge generation. We attempt to redress that imbalance here and to consolidate disparate information on the macromedusae of EBC systems. With the exception of the Canary Current system, which supports a generally low biomass of mostly subtropical taxa, jellyfish assemblages in the Benguela, Humboldt and California Current systems are dominated by cool water taxa that can occur at high abundances. While there are large gaps in knowledge, which are highlighted, it is clear that jellyfish can play significant ecological roles in each system. Although there may be strong similarities in faunal composition among the different systems, there are pronounced differences in population responses to the environment and in system resilience and these are reviewed and discussed.

Publication Title

Oceanography and Marine Biology an Annual Review Volume 59

First Page

371

Last Page

482

Recommended Citation

Gibbons, M., Skrypzeck, H., Brodeur, R., Riascos, J., Dávila, J., Grobler, C., Roux, J., Field, J., Daly, E., Miller, R., Ras, V., Schiariti, A., Chiaverano, L., Tjizoo, B., Prieto, L., Idrissi, H., Palma, S. (2021). A comparative review of macromedusae in eastern boundary currents. Oceanography and Marine Biology an Annual Review Volume 59, 371-482.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22277