The Occurrence of the Jellyfish Chiropsalmus Quadrumanus in Matagorda Bay, Texas

Author: Guest William C.  

Publisher: University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

ISSN: 0007-4977

Source: Bulletin of Marine Science, Vol.9, Iss.1, 1959-01, pp. : 79-83

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Abstract

Chiropsalmus quadrumanus L. Agassiz, a Scyphozoan of the order Cubomedusae not previously recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, is reported as occurring in great abundance in Matagorda Bay, Texas. The development of a large population coincided with drought conditions and high bay salinities along the Texas Gulf coast. When bay salinities dropped considerably in 1957 the jellyfish disappeared. The jellyfish were found to be living on or near the bottom at all times and preferred areas of soft mud. None were found in adjacent Gulf waters and adult forms in the bay showed no evidence of gonad development.

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