SIGNIFICANCE: This paper serves as a reply to the Commentary by Brown and Gibbons (S Afr J Sci. 2022;118(9/10), Art. #12590) on our recently published paper on systematics of the moon jellyfish genus Aurelia (Lawley et al. PeerJ 2021;9, e11954)). We emphasise that we are not advocating for the routine use of molecular data alone in taxonomic diagnoses, rather that it is a valid approach in cases where, after detailed analyses, morphological features are shown to be unreliable

Abstract The use of behavioral data is quite common in studies of chordate animals and some groups of arthropods; however, these data are usually used in ecological and conservation studies. Their use remains uncommon in phylogenetic reconstructions, especially for non-model groups in behavioral studies. This study aims to evaluate the methodological use of behavioral (feeding process) data with EthoKit Logger in the phylogenetic reconstruction of the Cnidaria, a group in the so-called ‘lower’ Metazoa. The results indicate considerable cohesion with reconstructions based on molecular data available in previous studies. We therefore suggest that the use of behavioral characters can possible be a useful secondary tool or a proof test for molecular evolutionary reconstructions.

ABSTRACT The massive occurrence of jellyfish in several areas of the world is reported annually, but most of the data come from the northern hemisphere and often refer to a restricted group of species that are not in the genus Cassiopea. This study records a massive, clonal and non-native population of Cassiopea and discusses the possible scenarios that resulted in the invasion of the Brazilian coast by these organisms. The results indicate that this jellyfish might have invaded the Brazilian coast multiple times.

The results of quantitative and qualitative starvation experiments with Nausithoe auera polyps in natural and artificial seawater were compared. For this study, Scyphistomae growing on stony coral debris in the São Sebastião Channel (Brazil) were sampled by SCUBA divers. The data obtained reinforce the hypothesis about rearing differences between natural and artificial seawater. Some polyps showed better results in natural seawater than those in artificial seawater, with the former but not the latter surviving until the end of the experiment (155 days). These results suggest that Coronatae polyps use dissolved organic matter, which contributes to the survival of Nausithoe auera polyps. During the experiments, the reaction of individual scyphistoma to gentle stimulation with forceps in the middle part of the periderm tube was also observed

Mediante resultados cuali y cuantitativos se comparan experimentos sin alimento de pólipos de Nausithoe auera en agua de mar natural y artificial. Se utilizaron pólipos colectados sobre restos de corales en la región del canal de São Sebastião (Brasil) mediante buceo autónomo con SCUBA. Se comprobaron diferencias en el cultivo entre los métodos utilizados. Algunos pólipos cultivados en agua natural mostraron mejores condiciones que los cultivados en agua artificial. Los pólipos en agua natural llegaron hasta el final de los experimentos (155 días), mientras que los cultivados en agua artificial no sobrevivieron hasta el final. Estos resultados sugieren el uso de materia orgánica disuelta por pólipos de Coronatae, la cual contribuye a mantener vivos los pólipos de N. aurea. Durante los experimentos se observó la reacción de los escifistoma frente a estímulos efectuados en la parte media del peridermia

As espécies de Cubozoa e Scyphozoa costeiras que ocorrem no Brasil são descritas, com base em espécimes de coleções de museus e exemplares recém-coletados. Chaves de identificação e um glossário também são apresentados. As espécies descritas são: Aurelia sp.; Cassiopea xamachana Bigelow, 1892; Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Müller, 1859); Chrysaora lactea Eschscholtz, 1829; Drymonema dalmatinum Haeckel, 1880; Linuche unguiculata (Swartz, 1788); Lychnorhiza lucerna Haeckel, 1880; Nausithoe aurea Silveira & Morandini, 1997; Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884; Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz, 1862; Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859 e Tripedalia cystophora Conant, 1897.

Coastal species of Cubozoa and Scyphozoa occurring in Brazil are described, based on museum specimens and recently collected ones. Identification keys and a glossary are also presented. The listed species are: Aurelia sp.; Cassiopea xamachana Bigelow, 1892; Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Müller, 1859); Chrysaora lactea Eschscholtz, 1829; Drymonema dalmatinum Haeckel, 1880; Linuche unguiculata (Swartz, 1788); Lychnorhiza lucerna Haeckel, 1880; Nausithoe aurea Silveira & Morandini, 1997; Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884; Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz, 1862; Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859; and Tripedalia cystophora Conant, 1897.