[Cnidaria] Information on Maeotias marginata polyps

[Mike Schaadt]

Hi Robert -I don't know this jelly but I read in "Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates: A Guide to the Common Gelatinous Animals" by Wrobel and Mills that they are originally from the Black Sea. They also say the medusae are released in late spring and early summer but don't mention the polyps. 

One way you might find the polyps is to try some in-vitro fertilization experiments with the gravid adults (the gonads hang "curtainlike" from the radial canals) and settle the resulting planulae. Workers at CMA and other aquariums have had some success trying this technique to get cultures of jellies going. Right now we're trying that with the cubomedusae Carybdea marsupialis with no luck, so far. -Mike

PS I keep a listing of jellies displayed and cultured at aquariums and zoos and Maeotias is not on the list.

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

>>> Robert Egon Schroeter <reschroeter at ucdavis.edu> 10/29/2008 1:08 PM >>>
Does anyone have any knowledge on the morphology and likely habitats 
of M. marginata polyps. We (several students/researchers at 
University of California, Davis) have been monitoring the adults in 
the San Francisco Estuary, but have been unable to locate any 
polyps.  Any information would be appreciated!
Thanks

Robert Schroeter
(805)546-8147