Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) = Biologia, ecologia i ecofisiologia de la cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa)

Over the last years, the sightings of the cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis have increased in the Mediterranean Sea and this has been linked to an increase in its abundance. Consequently, this phD thesis addresses some questions regarding the possible causes and effects of this phenomenon. Firstly, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Author: Acevedo Dudley, Melissa Judith
Format: doctoral thesis
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2016
Country:España
Institution:CBUC, CESCA
Repository:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
OAI Identifier:oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/403956
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10803/403956
https://dx.doi.org/10.5821/dissertation-2117-105571
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:504
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Description
Summary:Over the last years, the sightings of the cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis have increased in the Mediterranean Sea and this has been linked to an increase in its abundance. Consequently, this phD thesis addresses some questions regarding the possible causes and effects of this phenomenon. Firstly, the taxonomy and distribution of the species have been revised and updated. Moreover, laboratory experiments were conducted to study the development and ecophysiology of this animal. These results were complemented with field studies on the gut contents and trophic markers of C. marsupialis. Finally, the results of a four years monitoring in the coast of Denia (Spain), as well as the sightings of the species reported along the Mediterranean, provided solid evidence on the main factors affecting the distribution of C. marsupialis. Overall, the species seems to be favoured by high nutrient inputs from anthropogenic origin, and other human activities as coastal constructions.