Meeting Abstract

P1.43  Sunday, Jan. 4  Determination of the Optimal Housing Conditions for Box Jellyfish HAIGLER, B.; ECKERD, M.S.; MARTIN, V.J.*; Appalachian State University, North Carolina martinvj@appstate.edu

Box jellyfish, phylum Cnidaria, are currently being studied for a variety of reasons ranging from the evolutionary history and structure of photoreceptors to anti-venom and protein-based toxins. The economic impact of recent increases in jellyfish blooms worldwide underscores the need to understand the life cycle and habitat preferences of the box jellyfish. Little is known concerning long term husbandry of the box jellyfish. This study is designed to determine the optimal housing conditions to promote and sustain a healthy box jellyfish colony in the laboratory. Variables analyzed include continuous water movement and water filtration versus still unfiltered sea water changed weekly, water kept at 22 degree C versus water kept at higher temperatures, light/dark cycle of 14:10 versus natural day length, twice a week feeding regime versus once a week, and comparison of natural filtered seawater to commercially available Instant Ocean. Box jellyfish (Carybdea marsupialis) polyps were seeded on PVC pipes in BiOrbs, round aquaria made of Plexiglas acrylic with a filter system, and also placed in Pyrex dishes or Petri dishes. The number of polyps and free swimming jellyfish were recorded daily in the BiOrbs, Pyrex dishes, and Petri dishes to determine the effects of the variables on the viability of the box jellyfish population. Results indicate that continuous water movement and water filtration in the BiOrbs promote increased polyp budding and jellyfish formation over budding rates observed in Pyrex dishes or Petri dishes. Changing feeding and temperature regimes also affects budding rates.