A preliminary laboratory study on the salinity and temperature tolerances of some medusae from the São Paulo coast, Brazil

A preliminary laboratory study on the salinity and temperature tolerances of some medusae from the São Paulo coast, Brazil

Glória Soares Moreira

Instituto de Biologia Marinha and Departamento de Fisiologia do Instituto de Biociencias da Universidade de São Paulo

SYNOPSIS

The salinity and temperature tolerances of some species of medusae were studied in the laboratory. The results showed the following order of tolerances in diluted seawater: Cirrholovenia tetranema, Clytia cylindrica and Eucheilota duodecimalis > Proboscidactyla ornata and Obelia spp. > Euphysora gracilis, Ectopleura dumortieri, Liriope tetraphylla and Cunina octonaria. In relation to the decrease of temperature, the following results were obtained: Ectopleura dumortieri, Euphysora gracilis, Obelia spp. and Proboscidactyla ornata > Liriope tetraphylla > Cunina octonaria > Clytia cylindrica and Eucheilota duodecimalis. The results obtained in laboratory were discussed in relation to the distribution of the species in nature.

RESUMO

A tolerância de varias espécies de medusas a valores decrescentes de salinidade e temperatura foi estudada em laboratório. Os resultados mostraram a seguinte ordem de tolerância em relação á água do mar diluída: Cirrholovenia tetranema, Clytia cylindrica e Eucheilota duodecimalis > Proboscidactyla ornata e Obelia spp. > Euphysora gracilis, Ectopleura dumortieri, Liriope tetraphylla e Cunina octonaria. Em relação á diminuição de temperatura, os seguintes resultados foram obtidos: Ectopleura dwrortieri, Euphysora gracilis, Obelia spp. e Proboscidactyla ornata > Liriope tetraphylla > Cunina octonaria > Clytia cylindrica e Eucheilota duodecimalis. Estes resultados obtidos em laboratório foram discutidos levando-se em conta a distribuição dessas espécies na natureza.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank Prof. Dr. Tagea K. Björnberg for critically reading the manuscript and for going through the English text. My thanks are also due to Prof. Dr. Plínio Soares Moreira for valuable comments and suggestions.

(Received February 2/1977)

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  06 June 2012
• Date of issue
  1978

History

• Received
  02 Feb 1977