Predation on jellyfish by the cephalopod Argonauta argo

Abstract

An association of Argonauta argo with Phyllorhiza punctata was observed in situ and collected north of Bohol Island in the Philippine archipelago. The argonaut held the exumbrella of the live jellyfish with its lateral and ventral arms. The center of the bell showed two holes interpretated as bite marks from the cephalopod. Five channels led from the holes to the medusa's gastric cavity. This connection possibly enabled the argonaut to feed on the tissues and to access particles caught by the secondary mouth papillae of the oral arms of P. punctata. The association could also serve A. argo as protection or camouflage against predators because of the stinging capability of the scyphomedusa. -from Authors