Morpho-functional diversity in scyphozoan medusae: new data for species cultivated in Japanese institutes

• Grant number: 16/05637-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: July 17, 2016
• End date: August 17, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: André Carrara Morandini
• Grantee: Renato Mitsuo Nagata
• Supervisor: Hiroshi Miyake
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/01307-8 - Morpho-functional diversity in scyphozoan medusae: an analysis of the locomotory-feeding integrated system, BP.PD

Abstract

Medusae of the class Scyphozoa, the true jellyfishes, stand out because of their large body size and eventual abundance in coastal areas, where they occupy distinct and prominent niches. These animals are among the earliest metazoans to develop muscle-powered swimming. Although their simple muscle tissue limits force production, scyphomedusae evolved locomotion of low energy costs, along with diverse prey capture mechanisms. Bell pulsations, that provide the thrust, integrate a locomotory-feeding system, since during pulsations, fluid is pumped toward prey capture surfaces (tentacles and oral arms), enhancing prey encounter rates. The goal of this BEPE project is to carry out a three-month internship at the Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Ecology, Kitasato University School of Marine Biosciences and at the Enoshima Aquarium, both in Japan. During this period, video sequences of at least seven scyphomedusae families will be produced for the first time with a high speed camera (>500 frames s-1). Both institutions are world references for jellyfish cultivation techniques and this visit will allow the acquisition of a higher diversity of jellyfish, including distinct life-cycle stages and some rare species. From the produced sequences, data of medusae morphospace (of bell and post-bell structures) and of biomechanics (swimming kinematics, swimming performance and prey capture mechanism) will be quantified through geometric morphometric and videography techniques. Such data will be included in the current postdoc project, which aims to describe and quantify morphofunctional diversity of the locomotor-feeding system in scyphomedusae. We expect that the morphological and biomechanical parameters measured can be applied to: i- provide a functional perspective about the diversity of medusae body plan; ii- demonstrate biomechanical solutions; and iii- improve the understanding about the co-evolution of locomotor and feeding systems in Scyphozoa, through a novel approach for this group. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NAGATA, RENATO M.; MORANDINI, ANDRE C.; COLIN, SEAN P.; MIGOTTO, ALVARO E.; COSTELLO, JOHN H.. Transitions in morphologies, fluid regimes, and feeding mechanisms during development of the medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna. Marine Ecology Progress Series, v. 557, p. 145-159, SEP 28 2016. (16/05637-5, 15/01307-8, 10/50174-7, 11/50242-5, 11/00436-8, 14/00824-6, 13/19478-8)

NAGATA, RENATO M.; MORANDINI, ANDRE C.; COLIN, SEAN P.; MIGOTTO, ALVARO E.; COSTELLO, JOHN H.. Transitions in morphologies, fluid regimes, and feeding mechanisms during development of the medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna. MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES, v. 557, p. 15-pg., 2016-09-28. (15/01307-8, 11/50242-5, 14/00824-6, 16/05637-5, 13/19478-8, 11/00436-8, 10/50174-7)