A morphological review of the jellyfish genus Nausithoe Kölliker,1853 (Nausithoideae, Coronatae, Scyphozoa, Cnidaria)

Author(s)

Molinari, Clarissa G. ; Collins, Allen G. ; Morandini, Andre C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Zootaxa; v. 5336, n. 1, p. 32-pg., 2023-08-21.

Abstract

In this study we address the diversity of the scyphozoan jellyfish genus Nausithoe Kolliker, 1853 (Nausithoidae, Coronatae), questioning the feasibility of using some characters of the medusa stage to identify species and filling in gaps concerning species of the genus and their distributions. Like most scyphozoans, the vast majority of the 21 Nausithoe species have a metagenetic life cycle, but similarity of most polyps within the genus highlights the need for studying morphology of the medusa stage. By analyzing morphological features on preserved and live specimens (polyps and medusae) and comparing these data with the original descriptions, we were able to validate twenty species of the group, providing new information for some of them. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/21007-9 - Recognizing the diversity of jellyfishes (Medusozoa, Rhopaliophora)
• Grantee: André Carrara Morandini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/04954-0 - Description and life cycle of a solitary coronate scyphozoan from deep waters of the southeast coast of Brazil (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Nausithoidae) and comparison with other species
• Grantee: Clarissa Garbi Molinari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/50174-7 - Systematics, life cycle and reproductive patterns of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Medusozoa: Cubozoa and Scyphozoa) in the Baixada Santista (São Paulo, Brazil)
• Grantee: André Carrara Morandini
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants