Spatiotemporal distribution of protozooplankton and copepod nauplii in relation to the occurrence of giant jellyfish in the Yellow Sea

The occurrence of the giant jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai, has been a frequent phenomenon in the Yellow Sea. However, the relationship between the giant jellyfish and protozoa, in particular ciliates, remains largely unknown. We investigated the distribution of nanoflagellates, ciliates, Noctiluca scintillans, and copepod nauplii along the transect 33~N in the Yellow Sea in June and August, 2012, during an occurrence of the giant jellyfish, and in October of that year when the jellyfish was absent. The organisms studied were mainly concentrated in the surface waters in summer, while in autumn they were evenly distributed in the water column. Nanoflagellate, ciliate, and copepod nauplii biomasses increased from early June to August along with jellyfish growth, the first two decreased in October, while N. scintillans biomass peaked in early June to 3 571 pg C/L and decreased in August and October. In summer, ciliate biomass greatly exceeded that of copepod nauplii （4.61-15.04 ~tg C/L vs. 0.34-0.89 pg C/L）. Ciliate production was even more important than biomass, ranging from 6.59 to 34.19 ~tg C/（L.d） in summer. Our data suggest a tight and positive association among the nano-, micro-, and meso-zooplankton in the study area. Statistical analysis revealed that the abundance and total production of ciliate as well as loricate ciliate biomass were positively correlated with giant jellyfish biomass, indicating a possible predator-prey relationship between ciliates and giant jellyfish. This is in contrast to a previous study, which reported a significant reduction in ciliate standing crops due to the mass occurrence ofN. nomurai in summer. Our study indicates that, with its high biomass and, in particular, high production ciliates might support the mass occurrence of giant jellyfish.

Comprehensive analysis of the origin of giant jellyfish near Qinhuangdao in summer

A massive bloom of the giant jellyfi sh Nemopilema nomurai occurred in waters off Qinhuangdao,a port city in Hebei Province,in July 2013.However,jellyfi sh larvae were not found in this location during the previous winter and spring.To determine the possible origin of the giant jellyfi sh medusa in the Bohai Sea,we developed a backward particle-tracking model and a series of numerical simulations were conducted by using the hydrodynamic,three-dimensional Regional Ocean Modeling System(ROMS)results.The simulated results showed that passive particles,representing jellyfi sh medusae,released in surface waters at diff erent dates during the summer had consistent trajectories.Particles released at the sea surface on August1 and 15 could be traced back to the center of the Bohai Sea and to waters between Feiyan Shoal and the new Huanghe(Yellow)River estuary.Particles released on July 1 and 15 could also be traced back to the center of the Bohai Sea and to waters between Feiyan Shoal and only to Zhuangxi tide station.However,none of the particles released in the middle and bottom water layers could be traced back to those areas.Based on the results of the numerical simulations,the distribution characteristics of seafl oor sediments,and observational data for giant jellyfi sh in the region,we suggest that waters between Feiyan Shoal and the new Huanghe River estuary are the likely origin of giant jellyfi sh observed near Qinhuangdao in summer.