Distributional Patterns of Mesopelagic Scyphozoa Within the Monterey Submarine Canyon, California
Abstract
Scyphozoans are a historically understudied taxonomic class, and it is unknown how genera that potentially compete coexist in resource-limited environments within the Mesopelagic Zone (200-1000m depth). Monitoring the affinities of various genera to fine-scale water mass differences demonstrates how apparent competitors in resource-limited environments occupy different habitats. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROVs) pinpoint location information and oceanographic conditions of individual specimens, while providing better identification than other survey method options. During a 21-year period (2000 - 2020), images obtained by ROV operators annotated visual captures of scyphozoans, while integrating in situ sensor measurements of conductivity, temperature, depth, and dissolved oxygen (CTDO) in the Monterey Submarine Canyon, CA. Six scyphozoan genera were observed, with each having abundances of over 90 individuals: Atolla, Deepstaria, Periphylla, Periphyllopsis, Poralia, and Stellamedusa. CTDO metrics were collected at two regional reference stations to differentiate water masses for fine-scale habitat affinities to be identified through metrics of oxygen levels and spiciness values. Spiciness values relate temperature and salinity, orthogonally to density for water mass characterization. There are significant differences among genera with respect to depth, temperature, oxygen, and salinity (Kruskal-Wallis Test, p<<<0.001). Pairwise comparisons (Wilcoxon rank sum test) revealed that each genus is significantly different from each other (p<0.01) for all parameters, except for the comparison between Deepstaria and Periphyllopsis (p>0.05). This documents that mesopelagic jellyfish genera aggregate in different distributional patterns, with Deepstaria, Periphyllopsis, and Poralia inhabiting deeper, colder, and saltier environments; while Atolla, Stellamedusa, and Periphylla inhabiting shallower, warmer, and fresher strata of the mesopelagic.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Joshua Feingold
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2024 1:30 PM
Distributional Patterns of Mesopelagic Scyphozoa Within the Monterey Submarine Canyon, California
Alvin Sherman Library
Scyphozoans are a historically understudied taxonomic class, and it is unknown how genera that potentially compete coexist in resource-limited environments within the Mesopelagic Zone (200-1000m depth). Monitoring the affinities of various genera to fine-scale water mass differences demonstrates how apparent competitors in resource-limited environments occupy different habitats. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROVs) pinpoint location information and oceanographic conditions of individual specimens, while providing better identification than other survey method options. During a 21-year period (2000 - 2020), images obtained by ROV operators annotated visual captures of scyphozoans, while integrating in situ sensor measurements of conductivity, temperature, depth, and dissolved oxygen (CTDO) in the Monterey Submarine Canyon, CA. Six scyphozoan genera were observed, with each having abundances of over 90 individuals: Atolla, Deepstaria, Periphylla, Periphyllopsis, Poralia, and Stellamedusa. CTDO metrics were collected at two regional reference stations to differentiate water masses for fine-scale habitat affinities to be identified through metrics of oxygen levels and spiciness values. Spiciness values relate temperature and salinity, orthogonally to density for water mass characterization. There are significant differences among genera with respect to depth, temperature, oxygen, and salinity (Kruskal-Wallis Test, p<<<0.001). Pairwise comparisons (Wilcoxon rank sum test) revealed that each genus is significantly different from each other (p<0.01) for all parameters, except for the comparison between Deepstaria and Periphyllopsis (p>0.05). This documents that mesopelagic jellyfish genera aggregate in different distributional patterns, with Deepstaria, Periphyllopsis, and Poralia inhabiting deeper, colder, and saltier environments; while Atolla, Stellamedusa, and Periphylla inhabiting shallower, warmer, and fresher strata of the mesopelagic.
