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Date: | Wed, 9 Aug 2000 01:49:53 +0000 |
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ENN News
News Bytes
Tuesday, August 8, 2000
Attack of the jellyfish — In the Gulf of Mexico, invasive jellyfish may pose
a threat to the area's ecosystems, scientists say. Similar alien jellyfish
have caused major disruptions in marine fisheries in Europe, driving out other
marine life. "One of the biggest worries is that these jellies will feed
directly on the eggs and larvae of the area's fish, shrimp and crabs," said
Monty Graham, a senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in
Alabama. "(This) could have a serious effect on the commercial fisheries on
the gulf coast." Native to Australian coastal waters, spotted jellyfish
(Phyllorhiza punctata) have migrated to the Caribbean for the past two
decades.
The question is: is this species a direct or indirect threat to mollusc
populations in the regions where it is becoming more common? - specualtion as
well as hard-science answers welcomed.
-Ross.
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