Black Sea Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora) adult locomotion and light-induced behavior in laboratory experiments

• Published in: Journal of sea research Vol. 180; p. 102152
• Main Authors: Baiandina, Iu.S., Kirin, M.P., Krivenko, O.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.02.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animals; Behavioural responses; Ctenophora; Escape speed; Laboratories; Light; Light effects; Light induced behavior; Light sources; Light stimuli; Locomotion; Marine invertebrates; Mnemiopsis leidyi; Movement; Swimming; Vectors; Black Sea; Locomotion; Mnemiopsis leidyi; Ctenophora; Light induced behavior; Escape speed
• ISSN: 1385-1101; 1873-1414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2021.102152

The capacity of Ctenophores to sense light is indicated by comparative morphology and genomics data, but the relevant behavioral responses of the animals to light stimulus have not been studied yet. We developed the design of a laboratory experiment to reveal the light-induced behavior of adult Mnemiopsis leidyi from the Black Sea and identified criteria for its evaluation. Average swimming speed up to ~6–7 mm s−1 can be considered specific for the M. leidyi adults under rest or active feeding. Ctenophore reacts to a sharp light rise as an external stimulus, briefly increasing the rate several times (up to 40 mm sec−1). Analysis of motion vectors revealed no directional movement from the light source or towards it. Maximum and average rates decrease significantly for two minutes after the light is turned on, and speeds return to the original values within an hour. Small animals are more active than large ones. The mean motion rates of small comb jellies (<60 mm) were 0.7 ± 0.84 mm s−1 and 0.18 ± 0.19 mm s−1 - for large animals (>80 mm) when averaging the data for the entire observation period (from February to June). •Ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi reacts to a sharp change in light intensity as a stress stimulus.•Directional movement towards or away from light is a lack in adult M. leidyi.•Small M. leidyi are more active than large ones.•There are different patterns of locomotion of small and large ctenophores M. leidyi.•The response of ctenophores to light stimuli change throughout the life cycle.