Pelagia noctiluca (mauve stinger)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Water Tolerances
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Impact
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Diagnosis
- Detection and Inspection
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Organizations
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Pelagia noctiluca Forsskål, 1775
Preferred Common Name
- mauve stinger
International Common Names
- French: piqueur-mauve
Local Common Names
- Italy: medusa luminosa; vespa di mare
- Netherlands: parelkwal
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageThe jellyfish P. noctiluca can be considered ‘invasive’ as the periodic occurrence of extraordinary abundances in coastal waters occurs when this typically offshore species is advected shoreward in years when population densities appear to be exceptionally high. Consequently, it is problematic at the very periphery of its ‘natural range’, thus differing from truly invasive species that have been introduced into a new area.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Cnidaria
- Class: Scyphozoa
- Order: Semaeostomeae
- Family: Pelagiidae
- Genus: Pelagia
- Species: Pelagia noctiluca
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe order Semaestomeae comprises three families: Pelagiidae, Cyaneidae,and Ulmaridae, distinguishable by the following characters:
1. Gastrovascular cavity divided by radial septa into rhopalar and tentacular pouches.
a) Pouches simple and unbranched – Pelagiidae
b) Pouches branched – Cyaneidae
2. Gastrovascular system in form of unbranched and branching canals, or with anastomosing radial canals – Ulmaridae.
In addition the Pelagiidae has no ring canal, marginal tentacles arising from umbrella margin. There are three genera in this family.
Distribution
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Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 14 Dec 2020Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Europe |
|||||||
Belgium | Present | Invasive | Normally found in more offshore waters | ||||
Croatia | Present, Widespread | Native | Invasive | Islands of Lošinj and Susak, the marine National Park "Kornati Islands", Istrian Peninsula | |||
France | Present | Native | Invasive | ||||
Ireland | Present | Native | Invasive | ||||
Isle of Man | Present, Localized | 1952 | Native | Invasive | Coastal encroachment with jellyfish entering Irish Sea through North channel | ||
Malta | Present, Localized | Native | Invasive | Normally found in more offshore waters | |||
Spain | Present, Widespread | Native | Invasive | Large aggregations regarded as common in Bay of Biscay | |||
United Kingdom | Present | Native | Invasive | ||||
-Northern Ireland | Absent, Formerly present | 2007 | Enormous aggregations, normally found offshore, transported through wind and currents through the north channel where they caused mass mortality of salmon at fish farms in County Antrim | ||||
North America |
|||||||
United States | |||||||
-Hawaii | Absent, Formerly present | 1999 | Rare occurence, not usually found in coastal waters. | ||||
Sea Areas |
|||||||
Atlantic - Eastern Central | Present | ||||||
Atlantic - Northeast | Present | ||||||
Atlantic - Northwest | Present | ||||||
Atlantic - Southeast | Present | ||||||
Atlantic - Southwest | Present | ||||||
Atlantic - Western Central | Present | ||||||
Indian Ocean - Eastern | Present | ||||||
Indian Ocean - Western | Present | ||||||
Mediterranean and Black Sea | Present | ||||||
Pacific - Eastern Central | Present | ||||||
Pacific - Northwest | Present | ||||||
Pacific - Southeast | Present | ||||||
Pacific - Southwest | Present | ||||||
Pacific - Western Central | Present |
History of Introduction and Spread
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Risk of Introduction
Top of pageThe movement of P. noctiluca into coastal waters is a natural phenomenon in years of high abundance where aggregations are transported coastally by climatic conditions. However, there is certainly scope for the introduction of P. noctiluca into new areas through the dumping of ballast waters by commercial shipping.
Habitat
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Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Marine | Inshore marine | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Marine | Pelagic zone (offshore) | Principal habitat | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The DNA barcode form the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene of this species is described by Ortman et al. (2010).
Reproductive Biology
P. noctiluca is a scyphozoan and adapted to a pelagic mode of life. This class of organisms has adapted in such a way that the polyp stage is shortened or in some cases such as that of the genus Pelagia this is absent, thus direct development following sexual reproduction exists. Four gonads arise as elongated endodermal proliferations, developing into ribbon-like folds in the inter-radial sectors of the stomach wall slightly distal to the rows of gastric filaments. Male and female gonads vary only slightly and the main difference is the thickness of the follicle.
Physiology and Phenology
Outbreaks of P. noctiluca are best documented for the Mediterranean where they have received considerable attention. The most extensive analysis was conducted by the Station Zoologique at Villefranche-sur-Mer based on records of "years with Pelagia noctiluca" and "years without Pelagia". These records, plus additional data, indicate that over the past 200 years (1785-1985) outbursts of P. noctiluca have occurred about every 12 years. Using a forecasting model, climatic variables, notably temperature, rainfall and atmospheric pressure, appear to predict "years with Pelagia" (Goy et al., 1989).
Nutrition
Associations
Environmental Requirements
Water Tolerances
Top of pageParameter | Minimum Value | Maximum Value | Typical Value | Status | Life Stage | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salinity (part per thousand) | Optimum | Salinities conducive to bloom formation are around 35–38 psu (see Purcell et al., 1999) | ||||
Water temperature (ºC temperature) | Optimum | Medusa bloom formations occur at above 10°C in winter and below 27°C in summer (see Purcell et al., 1999). Below 11°C active movement ceases |
Natural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dermochelys coriacea | Predator | Aquatic|Adult | not specific | Arai (2005) | ||
Mola mola | Predator | Aquatic|Adult | not specific | Arai (2005) |
Notes on Natural Enemies
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Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageNatural Dispersal (Non-Biotic)
Accidental Introduction
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Cultural/amenity | Negative |
Economic/livelihood | Negative |
Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
Human health | Negative |
Impact
Top of pageImpact on Biodiversity
Economic Impact
Top of pageWithin the Mediterranean Sea, P. noctiluca outbreaks are responsible for the loss of millions of dollars to the combined tourist industries of national states bordering the western basin and Adriatic Sea. P. noctiluca may also cause fish mortalities in aquaculture cages possibly by irritating the fish gills (Merceron et al., 1995). For example, in November 2007, the only salmon farm in Northern Ireland lost its entire population of more than 100,000 fish, worth US $2 million through the encroachment of an enormous jellyfish aggregation (Doyle et al., 2008). This has led to the near collapse of the northern Irish finfish aquaculture industry, which had a lucrative export trade to across Ireland, the UK, continental Europe and the US.
Environmental Impact
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Social Impact
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Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Invasive in its native range
- Has a broad native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Capable of securing and ingesting a wide range of food
- Fast growing
- Has high reproductive potential
- Gregarious
- Reproduces asexually
- Infrastructure damage
- Negatively impacts human health
- Negatively impacts livelihoods
- Negatively impacts aquaculture/fisheries
- Negatively impacts tourism
- Reduced amenity values
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Causes allergic responses
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition (unspecified)
- Fouling
- Predation
- Difficult/costly to control
Uses
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Diagnosis
Top of pageAggregations are visually detectable and do not require diagnosis.
Public Awareness
Detection and Inspection
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Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of page
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Prevention
Eradication
Containment/Zoning
Control
Cultural control and sanitary measures
Physical/mechanical control
Movement control
Biological control
Control by utilization
Monitoring and Surveillance
Mitigation
Ecosystem Restoration
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of page
References
Top of pageArai MN, 1997. A Functional Biology of Scyphozoa. London, UK: Chapman and Hall, 300 pp.
Carabott M, 2008. The Malta Independent (online). http://www.independent.com.mt
Cole FJ, 1952. Pelagia in Manx waters. Nature, 170:587.
Delap MJ; Delap C, 1905. Annual Report of the Fisheries of Ireland, 1902-1903 II., 1-21.
Hunt OD, 1952. Occurrence of Pelagia in the River Yealm Estuary, South Devon. Nature, 169:934.
Kramp PL, 1974. Medusae Rapport Danmark Expedition 1908-1910 Mediterranean (2). Biology, 8:67.
Ortman BD; Bucklin A; Pages F; Youngbluth M, 2010. DNA Barcoding the Medusozoa using mtCOI. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 57(24-26):2148-2156.
Valiela I, 1984. Marine Ecological Processes. New York, USA: Springer-Verlag, 546 pp.
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Cole F J, 1952. Pelagia in Manx waters. Nature. 587.
Delap M J, Delap C, 1905. Annual Report of the Fisheries of Ireland, 1902-1903 II. 1-21.
Hunt O D, 1952. Occurrence of Pelagia in the River Yealm Estuary, South Devon. Nature. 934.
Organizations
Top of pageFrance: Oceanographic Institute of Paris, 195 Rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, http://www.oceano.org/io
Ireland: University College Cork - Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, Glucksman Marine Facility Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cobh, Cork, http://www.ucc.ie
Slovenia: Marine Biology Station, Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, http://www.mbss.org/portal/index.php
Slovenia: University of Primorska, Titov TRG 4, 6000 Koper, http://www.upr.si/en
UK: Swansea University - School of Biological Sciences, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, http://www.swansea.ac.uk
Northern Ireland: Queen's University - School of Biological Sciences, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofBiologicalScience
USA: University of Washington - Friday Harbor Laboratories, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, http://depts.washington.edu/fhl
Contributors
Top of page04/08/08 Original text by:
Jonathan Houghton, Institute of Environmental Sustainability, School of the Environment & Society, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
Distribution Maps
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