Hypothesis: If Chrysaora fuscescens are raised in either a Kreisel system or a smaller container with concentrated feedings and more frequent water changes, then the Chrysaora fuscescens in the Kreisel system will reproduce and grow with a lower mortality rate than those in the smaller container.
To start out, we'll mention the hypothesis, and what I have answered. The best way to demonstrate my results here are through a chart (below).
K-Kreisel
RGD- Rotating Glass Dish (the other system)
B- Bottle
Group 1
1/28-2/11
Group 2
2/11-2/23
Group 3
2/23-3/3
Group 4
3/3-3/18
Group 5
3/18-3/23
Group 6
3/23-3/30
Group 7
3/30-4/8
Total
Percent
Mortality
K(added)
5
2
3
3
2
0
0
15
86.67%
K(dead)
0
3
2
1
3
2
2
13
RGD(added)
5
2
3
3
2
0
0
15
93.33%
RGD(dead)
0
4
3
3
1
2
1
14
B(added)
0
0
3
3
2
4
0
12
66.67%
B(dead)
0
0
0
1
3
2
2
8
(In my PowerPoint presentation, a graph on slides 31/32 displays the cumulative mortality)
Result: REFUTED (I feel like Adam Savage from MythBusters)
The main number we should concentrate on is the percent mortality at the end. The Bottle exceeded all of my expectations. It outperformed the Kreisel, which is the gold standard (so to speak) for sea jellies! To be completely honest, I did not expect such great results out of the system, and had made it just as a simple system that could be made with minimal cost and knowledge of tools(except, maybe, working a drill and a pair of scissors). I must mention that we were only able to get in 7 groups, 5 of which were in the bottle, so its numbers are lower, naturally. Still, the mortality rate shows that the bottle did seem to hold the ephyrae the best. After talking with Aaron and Nao, we discussed probable causes as to why it functioned better. The most likely cause is the percentage of the volume of the system in which bubbles do move or water moves is greater than the other two. As a result, we have more oxygenated water and a more consistent movement of water in general.
Now we can talk about some questions asked.
What is the best and safest method of transferring ephyrae to their systems from the scyphistomae systems?
What is the best and safest method of transferring ephyrae from their main systems to medusa systems?
None of our ephyrae ever reached the medusa stage, due to their mortality and (relatively) slow maturation. Ultimately, the best method WOULD HAVE BEEN to use a small beaker to capture the specimen and transfer it to its Medusa system.
Which environmental changes could cause strobilation of polyps?
Salinity, temperature, tides, stress, and concentration of certain nutrients can all affect strobilation.
How can biologists manipulate the environment to cause strobilation?
We tested: Salinity and temperature
Temperature Kept at 13 degrees Celsius normallyRaised to 17 degrees Celsius over 2 hour periodIncrease in amount of strobilation from polyps in the system, so it’s possible that temperature caused this strobilation.
Salinity •RO water used and chilled to 13 degrees Celsius•Polyps dunked for 5 minutes in RO water•Slight increase in strobilation, indicating that this did not seem to effect these polyps. There was no noticeable mortality in the polyps, so we (thankfully) didn’t kill them.
What are the typical mating signs, if any, of Chrysaora?
The Chrysaora release their sperm and egg into the water, so there really are no mating signs. As mentioned, male and female jellies exist.
How can ephyrae of different species be best identified?
You can identify ephyrae based on their looks, but the best way is to know from which polyps they came. You would otherwise have to look through a microscope to get a good look.
What is the most effective way, in general, to keep Sea Jellies?
As I have discovered, there is no one best way to keep sea jellies. Each system type has its own pros and cons, and each stage requires a different type of system.
Thanks to Aaron, Nao, Kim Morris-Zarneke, Kim Hall, Chris Coco, Hunbandry Staff, and Mr. Dan Dalke for the help and guidance on this project, and of course, the opportunity to do this fantastic experiment!
To start out, we'll mention the hypothesis, and what I have answered. The best way to demonstrate my results here are through a chart (below).
K-Kreisel
RGD- Rotating Glass Dish (the other system)
B- Bottle
1/28-2/11
2/11-2/23
2/23-3/3
3/3-3/18
3/18-3/23
3/23-3/30
3/30-4/8
Mortality
Result: REFUTED (I feel like Adam Savage from MythBusters)
The main number we should concentrate on is the percent mortality at the end. The Bottle exceeded all of my expectations. It outperformed the Kreisel, which is the gold standard (so to speak) for sea jellies! To be completely honest, I did not expect such great results out of the system, and had made it just as a simple system that could be made with minimal cost and knowledge of tools(except, maybe, working a drill and a pair of scissors). I must mention that we were only able to get in 7 groups, 5 of which were in the bottle, so its numbers are lower, naturally. Still, the mortality rate shows that the bottle did seem to hold the ephyrae the best. After talking with Aaron and Nao, we discussed probable causes as to why it functioned better. The most likely cause is the percentage of the volume of the system in which bubbles do move or water moves is greater than the other two. As a result, we have more oxygenated water and a more consistent movement of water in general.
Now we can talk about some questions asked.
What is the best and safest method of transferring ephyrae to their systems from the scyphistomae systems?
What is the best and safest method of transferring ephyrae from their main systems to medusa systems?
None of our ephyrae ever reached the medusa stage, due to their mortality and (relatively) slow maturation. Ultimately, the best method WOULD HAVE BEEN to use a small beaker to capture the specimen and transfer it to its Medusa system.
Which environmental changes could cause strobilation of polyps?
Salinity, temperature, tides, stress, and concentration of certain nutrients can all affect strobilation.
How can biologists manipulate the environment to cause strobilation?
We tested: Salinity and temperature
Temperature
Kept at 13 degrees Celsius normallyRaised to 17 degrees Celsius over 2 hour periodIncrease in amount of strobilation from polyps in the system, so it’s possible that temperature caused this strobilation.
Salinity
•RO water used and chilled to 13 degrees Celsius•Polyps dunked for 5 minutes in RO water•Slight increase in strobilation, indicating that this did not seem to effect these polyps. There was no noticeable mortality in the polyps, so we (thankfully) didn’t kill them.
What are the typical mating signs, if any, of Chrysaora?
The Chrysaora release their sperm and egg into the water, so there really are no mating signs. As mentioned, male and female jellies exist.
How can ephyrae of different species be best identified?
You can identify ephyrae based on their looks, but the best way is to know from which polyps they came. You would otherwise have to look through a microscope to get a good look.
What is the most effective way, in general, to keep Sea Jellies?
As I have discovered, there is no one best way to keep sea jellies. Each system type has its own pros and cons, and each stage requires a different type of system.
Thanks to Aaron, Nao, Kim Morris-Zarneke, Kim Hall, Chris Coco, Hunbandry Staff, and Mr. Dan Dalke for the help and guidance on this project, and of course, the opportunity to do this fantastic experiment!