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<p>Jellyfish swarms are ecologically dynamic but remain poorly studied in terms of diversity, interactions, and environmental factors, especially in tropical monsoonal regions like the Bay of Bengal (BoB). This study explores potential factors associated with jellyfish coexistence during a <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> swarm in the coastal BoB during the southwest monsoon. Hydrographical data revealed non-significant variations in water temperature and salinity between the shallow coastal zone (SCZ) and deep coastal zone (DCZ). Elevated nutrient concentrations in the DCZ were associated with dense <i>P. noctiluca</i> swarms. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were lower in the DCZ, corresponding with higher abundances of larger jellyfish taxa; suggesting increased community respiration during swarm conditions. Mesozooplankton (MZ) abundance was notably higher in the DCZ (1208 ± 150 ind./m<sup>3</sup>) than in the SCZ (916 ± 95 ind./m<sup>3</sup>), coinciding with lower chlorophyll <i>a</i> (Chl <i>a</i>) concentrations in the DCZ. This pattern may suggest enhanced grazing pressure; however, reduced Chl <i>a</i> could also reflect bottom-up limitations, including light attenuation associated with high turbidity and cloud cover during the summer monsoon. A total of 30 jellyfish species were identified, including Hydromedusae (11 species), Siphonophorae (13 species), Scyphozoa (1 species), and Ctenophora (5 species), making this the first comprehensive documentation of jellyfish diversity during a scyphozoan swarm in the BoB. Niche partitioning may have contributed to jellyfish coexistence, easing competition and predation. Smaller taxa like hydromedusae and siphonophores dominated the SCZ, while larger ctenophores and scyphozoans were more common in the DCZ. <i>P. noctiluca</i> swarms were linked to jellyfish assemblage patterns and trophic dynamics, with broader implications for pelagic food webs, nutrient flow, and fisheries. As the study is based on a single sampling event along one transect, the findings represent patterns observed during this specific swarm and should be interpreted as event-specific association.</p>

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Jellyfish diversity and niche partitioning during a scyphozoan swarm in the coastal Bay of Bengal: interactions and environmental factors associated with coexistence

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月6日

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  • Alfisa Siddique,
  • Naveen Sagar Garbhapu,
  • V. V. S. S. Sarma

摘要

Jellyfish swarms are ecologically dynamic but remain poorly studied in terms of diversity, interactions, and environmental factors, especially in tropical monsoonal regions like the Bay of Bengal (BoB). This study explores potential factors associated with jellyfish coexistence during a Pelagia noctiluca swarm in the coastal BoB during the southwest monsoon. Hydrographical data revealed non-significant variations in water temperature and salinity between the shallow coastal zone (SCZ) and deep coastal zone (DCZ). Elevated nutrient concentrations in the DCZ were associated with dense P. noctiluca swarms. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were lower in the DCZ, corresponding with higher abundances of larger jellyfish taxa; suggesting increased community respiration during swarm conditions. Mesozooplankton (MZ) abundance was notably higher in the DCZ (1208 ± 150 ind./m3) than in the SCZ (916 ± 95 ind./m3), coinciding with lower chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations in the DCZ. This pattern may suggest enhanced grazing pressure; however, reduced Chl a could also reflect bottom-up limitations, including light attenuation associated with high turbidity and cloud cover during the summer monsoon. A total of 30 jellyfish species were identified, including Hydromedusae (11 species), Siphonophorae (13 species), Scyphozoa (1 species), and Ctenophora (5 species), making this the first comprehensive documentation of jellyfish diversity during a scyphozoan swarm in the BoB. Niche partitioning may have contributed to jellyfish coexistence, easing competition and predation. Smaller taxa like hydromedusae and siphonophores dominated the SCZ, while larger ctenophores and scyphozoans were more common in the DCZ. P. noctiluca swarms were linked to jellyfish assemblage patterns and trophic dynamics, with broader implications for pelagic food webs, nutrient flow, and fisheries. As the study is based on a single sampling event along one transect, the findings represent patterns observed during this specific swarm and should be interpreted as event-specific association.