Effect of Alexandrium catenella (Dinophyta) concentration on the behavior and growth of Aurelia sp. ephyrae

Abstract

Coincidence of dinoflagellate and Aurelia ephyrae blooms can occur in coastal waters in spring or early summer. We examined the behavior and growth of ephyrae of Aurelia sp. feeding at different concentrations of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella. The results showed that the behavior and growth of Aurelia sp. ephyra could be significantly inhibited by high concentrations of A. catenella, suggesting that A. catenella blooms potentially depress the mass occurrence of Aurelia medusa. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.