[Cnidaria] Aurelia aurita mass murder!

[Mike Schaadt]

Hi Jamileh -Looks like the Aurelia got air under their bells and eventually in the subgenital pits causing them to float. If air stays in the subgenital pits for a while, the mesoglea swells above the stomach pouches/gonads. Mucous covers the air bubbles making it very unlikely the jellies can get rid of the air. Floating on the surface will dry out their epidermis eventually causing holes in the mesoglea and leading to decomposition of the jelly. 
I agree with Sidney at MBA, all the ships may have run right through a large "smack" of moons and the bubbles from the wakes of the ships may have caused the problems. -Mike

Mike Schaadt, Director
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen White Dr.
San Pedro, CA  90731  USA
Ph: 310-548-2995  FAX: 310-548-2649
mike.schaadt at lacity.org
www.cabrilloaq.org
CMA is accredited by the Association 
of Zoos and Aquariums

>>> jamileh javid <jjavid at ifm-geomar.de> 7/1/2008 1:26 AM >>>
Dear Cnidariologists!
We have found today morning a  mass of dead Aurelia with  swollen 
gastric pouches( see attached pic.).  may it be due to a high traffic 
level of big boats which we had last weekend in Kiel ( it was a sailing 
event )? I have never seem this eaten bubbles inside Aurelia in last 4 
years of my work in Kiel, even after sailing event.Do you have some 
explanation for?
Jamileh