Predicting the Presence of Scyphozoan Jellyfish in the Gulf of Mexico Using a Biophysical Model

Katrina T Aleksa1, Redwood W Nero2, Jeremy David Wiggert3 and William M. Graham3, (1)University of Southern Mississippi, Marine Science, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (2)NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (3)University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States
Abstract:
The study and quantification of jellyfish (cnidarian medusae and ctenophores) is difficult due to their fragile body plan and a composition similar to their environment. The development of a predictive biophysical jellyfish model would be the first of its kind for the Gulf of Mexico and could provide assistance in ecological research and human interactions. In this study, the collection data of two scyphozoan medusae, Chrysaora quinquecirrha and Aurelia spp., were extracted from SEAMAP trawling surveys and were used to determine biophysical predictors for the presence of large jellyfish medusae in the Gulf of Mexico. Both in situ and remote sensing measurements from 2003 to 2013 were obtained. Logistic regressions were then applied to 27 biophysical parameters derived from these data to explore and determine significant predictors for the presence of medusae. Significant predictors identified by this analysis included water temperature, chlorophyll a, turbidity, distance from shore, and salinity. Future application for this model include foraging assessment of gelatinous predators as well as possible near real time monitoring of the distribution and movement of these medusae in the Gulf of Mexico.
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