A preliminary laboratory study on the salinity and temperature tolerances of some medusae from the São Paulo coast, Brazil

Abstract

The salinity and temperature tolerances of some species of medusae were studied in the laboratory. The results showed the following order of tolerances in diluted seawater: Cirrholovenia tetranema, Clytia cylindrica and Eucheilota duodecimalis >; Proboscidactyla ornata and Obelia spp. >; Euphysora gracilis, Ectopleura dumortieri, Liriope tetraphylla and Cunina octonaria. In relation to the decrease of temperature, the following results were obtained: Ectopleura dumortieri, Euphysora gracilis, Obelia spp. and Proboscidactyla ornata >; Liriope tetraphylla >; Cunina octonaria >; Clytia cylindrica and Eucheilota duodecimalis. The results obtained in laboratory were discussed in relation to the distribution of the species in nature.