Effects of the harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata on different life cycle stages of the common moon jellyfish Aurelia sp.

摘要: Abstract The frequency and geographic extension of microalgae gelatinous zooplankton blooms seem to have been increasing worldwide over recent decades. In particular, the harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata Schyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia sp. are two most frequent long lasting species forming in Mediterranean Sea. A kind interaction among any their life cycle stages (i.e. planula-polyp-ephyrae vs cells) can likely occur, although this area there no data available on co-occurrence these species. aim study was investigate, for first time, potential noxious effect O. different (polyps ephyrae), testing several concentrations whole algal culture. Rsults toxicity bioassay highlighted that ephyrae, but not polyps, affected by comparisons other model organisms show ephyrae sensitive organism tested so far (EC50–24 h = 10.5 cells/mL). These findings suggest an interesting scenario bloom natural marine environment.