Aurelia labiata

 Kingdom Animalia 

 Phylum Cnidaria 

 Class Scyphozoa 

 Order Semaeostomeae 

Family Ulmaridae 

 Species Aurelia labiata

By Chelsea MacMullan

Geographic Range

Moon jellies inhabit the coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean from San Diego, California,
to Prince William Sound, Alaska. Though Aurelia labiatahas been identified solely in this
Eastern region of the Pacific Ocean, its close relative A. aurita is a cosmopolitan species
that is ecountered in coastal waters around the world. Confusion in identifying the two
species may distort the true range of the moon jellies. (Gershwin, 2001)

Biogeographic Regions: 
nearctic  .

Habitat
Depth
1000 m (high)
(3280 ft)

Moon jellies float near the surface in warm nearshore waters and are especially
prevalent in bays and harbors, such as the Monterey Bay. Though common in coastal
regions, moon jellies have been referred to as pelagic, or living in the open waters of
the ocean. An extremely close relative to A. labiata, A. aurita can survive in waters
ranging from -6 to 31 degrees Celsius. It is very likely that A. labiata tolerates similar
temperature ranges.(Purcell et al., 2000; Robel, 2001; Rodriguez, 1996)

These animals are found in the following types of habitat: 

temperate  ; saltwater or marine  .

Aquatic Biomes: 
pelagic  ; coastal  .
Physical Description
Length
100 to 450 mm
(3.94 to 17.72 in)

The translucent, moonlike bell that is characteristic of Aurelia labiata has earned moon
jellies their common name. They do not have the long trailing tentacles that people
usually associate with jellyfish. Instead, they have a fine fringe lining the bell margin.
The body form of A. labiata is distinguished from close relatives in the genus Aurelia by
an enlarged, fleshy manubrium, four oral arms protruding from the base of the
manubrium, planulae (ciliated fertilized egg) brooding on the manubrium, and
secondary scalloping of the bell margin between rhopalia, forming 16 notches. Aurelia
labiata ranges from 100 mm to 450 mm. Bells of juveniles and young adults are
translucent, and with maturity they turn milky white, sometimes with a pink, purple,
peach, or blue tint. (Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, 2003; Robel, 2001)

Aurelia labiata can easily be divided into three geographical morphotypes. The

southernmost form, found in California from San Diego to Marina del Ray, has a
manubrium that is a wide, rounded frill. The radial canals range in number, depending
on age. The oral arms are typically straight. Planulae range in color from white to bright
orange, and the bells are colorless to milky white. Male gonads are dark purple, and
female gonads are pale pink. Southern moon jellies grow to a maximum of 35 cm.

The central form inhabits coastal waters from Santa Barbara, California, to Newport,
Oregon. Abundant in late summer, central moon jellies have an elongated manubrium
that is rectangular and tapering. The radial canals are very numerous, and the oral
arms are straight or bent counter-clockwise. The planulae are lavender, and medusae
found in Monterey, California, are usually purple, while those found in Santa Barbara
are often pale pink. Male gonads are dark purple, and female gonads are brown.
Individuals of the central form of A. labiata have been recorded as high as 45 cm.

The northernmost form, ranging from Puget Sound, Washington, to Prince William
Sound, Alaska, have a pyramidal manubrium. The many parallel radial canals of adults
give the bell a lacy appearance. The oral arms are generally straight, and the planulae
are found in variable colors. The bells are peach or whitish, male gonads are dark
purple, and female gonads pale brown. Northern moon jellies range in size from 14-29
cm. (Gershwin, 2001)

Some key physical features: 

ectothermic  ; heterothermic  ; radial symmetry  ; venomous  .

Sexual dimorphism:  sexes alike, sexes colored or patterned differently.

Development

Male and female medusa spawn into the sea where the eggs are fertilized. The fertilized
egg is called a planula, a cilliated organism that is elliptical and elongated. The planulae
are brooded on the manubrium of Aurelia labiata. They are shaken off and attach to a
substrate, usually hanging upside-down from the underside of docks, mussel shells, or
rocks. There they transform into a polyp 2-3 mm in height, with an oral disk 1-2 mm in
diameter. Polyps range in color from whitish to pale pink and orange. Polyps attached
to a substrate asexually reproduce by side budding, stolon budding, or podocyst
formation.

Eventually the polyp strobilates, meaning that it transforms into a stack of several
organisms. In moon jellies, the strobila are both monodisk (produced one at a time)
and polydisk (several disks produced), with more than 20 developing ephyrae (free-
swimming, immature medusae). Their color varies with location (cinnamon in Southern
California and tan in Monterey). The strobilation time lasts for about 7 days, and the
ephyrae are released. Typical ephyrae are 2-3 mm when released, with 8 marginal
arms and nematocysts (stinging cells) on the exumbrellar surface. The ephyrae swim
about until they develop into mature medusa form. (Gershwin, 2001)

Special features of growth: 

metamorphosis  .

Reproduction

Moon jellies reproduce using internal fertilization. The gonads are one of the most
recognizable characteristics of the animal. They are horseshoe shaped organs with deep
coloration that can be seen in the center of the bell. In the mating season, males are
seen with sperm filaments attached to their oral arms. Sperm is carried to the gastric
pouch of the female by cilliary currents. Females hold the fertilized eggs, which appear
as grey clumps, on the manubrium. (Gershwin, 2001; Robel, 2001)

Only recently has Aurelia labiata been redefined as a species unique to its close

relative Aurelia aurita, the saucer jelly. Information on reproductive behavior or A.
labiata is not available at this time. Aurelia aurita is known to reach sexual maturity in
the spring and summer. In these seasons much of the organism's energy is devoted to
repoduction. As the jellies live in close aggregations, complex mating rituals do not
exist, males simply release their sperm filaments during the period of sexual maturity,
which are carried to the female gonads by ciliary currents. (Gershwin, 2001; Hickman,
Roberts, and Larson, 2003; Rodriguez, 1996)

Key reproductive features: 

seasonal breeding  ; sexual  ; fertilization   (internal  ).

The zygotes of Aurelia labiata, called planulae, are brooded on the jelly's manubrium.
In the Southern form, this takes place in a reticulating pattern on the frills. In the
central form, the planulae are brooded in tear-drop shape clumps on the base or
shelves of the manubrium. Northernmost moon jellies brood planulae at the base or
shelves of the manubrium as well. Planulae are eventually shaken off and continue their
development after attaching to a substrate. (Gershwin, 2001)

Parental investment: 
pre-fertilization (provisioning); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female).
Lifespan/Longevity
Typical lifespan (wild)

Aurelia labiata polyps usually strobilate early in spring, and the medusae mature very
quickly, spawn, and die by midsummer or early fall. In certain places, the medusae
population is present year-round. (Gershwin, 2001)

Behavior

Moon jellies appear in aggregations of hundreds to millions of individuals. These

aggregations are widely studied in Prince William Sound, Alaska, suggesting that the
jellies get stuck in flow features of the water column, forming the groups. Reduced
swimming due to collisions amongst the medusae in crowded areas is believed to assist
in maintenance of the aggregations. Possible advantages of aggregating behavior
includes increased fertilization success, the ability to stay near shore where zooplankton
and planula settling sites are more abundant, and reduced predation. (Purcell et al.,
2000)

Key behaviors: 
natatorial  ; sessile  ; motile  ; colonial  .

Communication and Perception

Little is known about communication between moon jellies. They are relatively primitive
animals, so it is likely that if communication between individuals exists at all, it is in a
very simple form. Research in this area is lacking.

Food Habits

Aurelia labiata feeds on small zooplankton such as molluscs, crustaceans, fish eggs, and
other small jellies. In a gut sampling study, moon jellies primarily selected for
crustacean prey. Thorough research on the specific dietary habits is missing from
scientific discourse, but the close relative species Aurelia aurita has a diet of plankton
organisms as well. Aurelia aurita has a diet dominated by whatever prey type is
abundant, adjusting to the availability of given food types.

The plankton is caught on the mucus lining the bell of the jelly. It is moved by ciliary
action to the bell margin, where the short fringe of tentacles helps funnel the food into
the manubrium and the four horseshoe-shaped stomach pouches at the top center of
the bell. (Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, 2003; Purcell, 2002; Robel, 2001)

Primary Diet: 
carnivore   (eats non-insect arthropods);  planktivore  .
Animal Foods: 
eggs; mollusks; aquatic crustaceans; cnidarians;  zooplankton  .
Plant Foods: 
phytoplankton  .
Predation
Known predators

lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)

The moon jelly has stinging cells called nematocysts with which it can sting potential
predators. The sting is mild and does not harm humans. Birds, turtles, and Cyanea
capillata are cited as predators of moon jellies.(Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation,
2003; Purcell and Sturdevant, 2001)

Ecosystem Roles

Aurelia labiata is an important consumer of marine zooplankton. They overlap spacially

and temporally with important commercial fish, such as the walleye pollock in the
Prince William Sound. They potentially compete with these fish species, which also feed
on marine zooplankton. Studies have yet to prove that large jellyfish, especially A.
labiata, significantly threaten the livelihood of zooplanktivorous fish, but they have
shown that their diets and habitats overlap. This could lead to competition for
resources. (Purcell, 2002)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There is concern, but no causal evidence as of yet, that the blooming populations of
moon jellies will dominate consumption of zooplankton food resources and outcompete
commercial fish that also depend on the resource. Further studies will be necessary to
determine if this concern is valid. (Purcell, 2002)

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Aurelia labiata adapt readily to an aquarium environment and can thrive at a variety of

temperatures. In addition, their translucent coloring, moon-shaped bell, and pulsating
method of swim make them very beautiful. It is relatively easy to establish polyps and
breed the jellies in captivity. For these reasons, moon jellies are some of the most
displayed jellyfish at public aquariums. Distributors of jellyfish have opened a new
market among consumers who want moon jelly tanks in their homes.Aurelia labiata is
emerging as an important commodity in the pet trade, and serves as an attraction at
aquariums worldwide. (Gershwin, 2001; Robel, 2001)

Ways that people benefit from these animals: 

pet trade  .
Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]: 

Not Evaluated.

US Federal List:[link]: 
No special status.

CITES: [link]: 
No special status.

Moon jellies exist in large numbers, with stable populations year round.(Monterey Bay
Aquarium Foundation, 2003)

Other Comments

In classifying different species of jellyfish, twentieth century taxonomists tended to

classify any flat, whitish medusa with four horseshoe-shaped gonads as Aurelia aurita.
Many morphological differences have thus been ignored, and false conclusions about
species such as Aurelia labiata have been made. Rigorous research by Lisa-Ann
Gershwin on the anatomical species has resurrected Aurelia labiata as a species unique
from its close relatives. For decades the individuality of the species was ignored.
(Gershwin, 2001)

For More Information

Find Aurelia labiata information at

 Encyclopedia of Life

Contributors

Renee Sherman Mulcrone (editor).

Chelsea MacMullan (author), University of Michigan. 

Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.

References
Gershwin, L. 2001. Systematics and Biogeography of the jellyfish Aurelia labiata
(Cnidaria:Scyphozoa).The Biological Bulletin, 201/1: 104-119.

Hickman, C., L. Roberts, A. Larson. 2003. Animal Diversity. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, 2003. "Moon Jelly: Aurelia labiata" (On-line).
Monterey Bay Aquarium. Accessed December 20, 2004
at http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/print.asp?inhab=442.

Purcell, J., M. Sturdevant. 2001. Prey Selection and dietary overlap among
zooplanktivorous jellyfish and juvenile fishes in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Marine
Ecology Progress Series, 210: 67-83.

Purcell, J., K. Stokesbury, E. Brown, L. Haldorson, T. Shirley. 2000. Aggregations of the

jellyfish Aurelia labiata: abundance, distribution, association with age-0 walleye pollock,
and behaviors promoting aggregation in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA. Marine
Ecology Progress Series, 195: 145-158. Accessed December 20, 2004
at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v195/p145-158.html.

Purcell, J. 2002. "Predation on Zooplankton by jellyfish and the Potential for

Competition for Food with Commercial Fishes" (On-line ). Accessed 03/20/03
athttp://aslo.org/meetings/victoria2002/archive/403.html.

Robel, D. 2001. "Aurelia labiata:Moon Jelly" (On-line). Jellies Zone. Accessed December
20, 2004 athttp://jellieszone.com/aurelia.htm.

Rodriguez, R. 1996. "Aurelia aurita" (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed

December 20, 2004
athttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/aurelia/a._aurita$narrative.h
tml.

To cite this page: MacMullan, C. 2005. "Aurelia labiata" (On-line), Animal Diversity

Web. Accessed September 22, 2010 at
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aurelia_labiata.html.