Prey selection and diel feeding of the freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbyi

Abstract

Summary1. The diet of the invasive freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbyi (Lankester), was assessed by analysing its stomach contents.2. The medusae ingested various zooplankton and benthic prey in the 0.1–3.0 mm size range. The selectivity indices for prey showed that larger zooplankton (0.4–1.4 mm) and active prey such as copepods were preferred; small potential prey, and the loricate rotifer Keratella cochlearis in particular, were almost never consumed. Measurements suggest that spacing between the tentacle branches could determine prey selection. Another possibility is that some prey are too small or slow to activate nematocysts after collision with the predator. Prey > 1.4 mm can probably escape or are otherwise too large to be handled.3. The medusae of Craspedacusta medusae stayed in deep water during daytime and migrated upwards at night. The greatest number of prey in freshwater jellyfish stomachs was detected at night.4. Calculation of consumption rates, based on mean stomach contents and digestion times of 4–5 h, showed that, on average, one medusa takes 190 zooplankton prey day−−1 at a mean prey density of about 100 L−−1. At the observed medusae density of 1 m−−3, the cropping rate was about 0.2 zooplankton prey L−−1 day−−1.