We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics ingestion in the ephyra stage of Aurelia sp. triggers acute and behavioral responses
AI summary Read the abstract
Young jellyfish (Aurelia sp. in the ephyra stage) were shown to ingest microplastics and exhibit acute physiological and behavioral responses, including altered swimming patterns and feeding behavior. This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that microplastic ingestion affects jellyfish at an early life stage, with potential implications for their population dynamics.
For the first time, we report a correspondence between microplastics (MP) ingestion and ecotoxicological effects in gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidarian jellyfish). The ephyra stage of the jellyfish Aurelia sp. was exposed to both environmental and high concentrations of fluorescent 1-4 μm polyethylene MP (0.01-10 mg/L). After 24 and 48 h, MP accumulation, acute (Immobility) and behavioral (Frequency pulsation) endpoints were investigated. MP were detected by confocal and tomographic investigations on gelatinous body and mouth, either attached on the surface or ingested. This interaction was responsible for impairing ephyrae survival and behavior at all tested concentrations after 24 h. Acute and behavioral effects were also related to mechanical disturbance, caused by MP, triggering a loss of radial symmetry. Contaminated ephyrae exposed to clean seawater showed full recovery after 72 h highlighting the organisms without the microspheres, attached on body jellyfish surface around the mouth and lappets. In conclusion, short-term exposure to MP affects ephyrae jellyfish health, impairing both their survival and behavior. Polyethylene MP temporarily affect both Immobility and Frequency of pulsation of Aurelia sp. jellyfish. This study provides a first step towards understanding and clarifying the potential impacts of MP contamination in gelatinous zooplankton.
More Papers Like This
Ecotoxicological effects of micro and nanoplastics in gelatinous zooplankton
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed ephyra-stage Aurelia sp. jellyfish to polyethylene microplastics (1-4 µm) and polystyrene nanoplastics (100 nm) at concentrations of 0.01-10 mg/L, using 3D holotomographic microscopy to confirm particle ingestion in the gelatinous body and mouth. Only microplastic ingestion affected survival, while both microplastics and nanoplastics impaired pulsation frequency, though full recovery occurred within 24-72 hours after transfer to clean seawater.
Nanoplastic uptake temporarily affects the pulsing behavior in ephyrae of the moon jellyfish Aurelia sp
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastic uptake temporarily affected the pulsing behavior of moon jellyfish ephyrae, with younger individuals showing greater sensitivity, providing the first evidence of nanoplastic ecotoxicological effects in marine cnidarians.
Ingestion of polyethylene microspheres occur only in presence of prey in the jellyfish Aurelia aurita
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that jellyfish only ingest polyethylene microspheres when prey is also present, suggesting that accidental microplastic ingestion by jellyfish depends on context rather than being constant. This finding has implications for understanding microplastic uptake pathways in marine food webs.
Do Virgin and Chemical-Spiked Microplastics Affect Ephyrae Jellyfish Survival and Behaviour?
AI summary Read the abstract
For the first time, this study compared the toxicity of virgin and pollutant-spiked polyethylene microplastics on Aurelia jellyfish ephyrae, examining both survival and behavioral endpoints. Chemically contaminated microplastics were more toxic than virgin particles, confirming that adsorbed pollutants amplify the hazard posed by plastic particles to marine organisms.
Selective feeding protects moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita s.l.) from overloading with microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) can selectively feed to avoid overloading with microplastics, maintaining normal growth and respiration rates even when exposed to high microplastic concentrations alongside zooplankton prey.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.