Distribution and abundance of the American comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi) – A rapid invasion to the northern Baltic Sea during 2007

Lehtiniemi, Maiju; Pääkkönen, Jari-Pekka; Flinkman, Juha; Katajisto, Tarja; Gorokhova, Elena; Karjalainen, Miina; Viitasalo, Satu; Björk, Heidi

doi:10.3391/ai.2007.2.4.17

Cited by 25 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This identification problem led to confusion to widely think that M. leidyi had spread to almost the whole Baltic Sea (e.g. Lehtiniemi et al 2007). However, based on genetic analyses the species occurring in the central and northern Baltic Sea was proven to be an arctic comb jelly (Mertensia ovum) (Gorokhova et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spreading and physico-biological reproduction limitations of the invasive American comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic Sea

et al. 2011

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Hydrodynamic drift modeling was used to investigate the potential dispersion of Mnemiopsis leidyi from the Bornholm Basin in the Baltic Sea where it has been observed since 2007 further to the east and north. In the brackish surface layer dispersion is mainly driven by wind, while within the halocline dispersion is mainly controlled by the baroclinic flow field and bottom topography. Model runs showed that the natural spreading via deep water currents from the Bornholm Basin towards north and east is limited by topographic features and low advection velocities. Based on the information on ranges of salinity and temperature, which limit survival and reproduction of this ctenophore within the Baltic Sea, areas have been identified where the American comb jelly, M. leidyi could potentially survive and reproduce. While, we could show that M. leidyi might survive in vast areas of the northern Baltic Sea its reproduction is prevented by low salinity (\10 psu) and temperature (\12°C). Thus, due to the combined effect of low salinity and temperature, it is not probable that M. leidyi could establish permanent populations in the central or northern Baltic Sea. However, it seems that in the southern parts of the Baltic Sea environmental conditions are suitable for a successful reproduction of M. leidyi.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spreading and physico-biological reproduction limitations of the invasive American comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic Sea

et al. 2011

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“…The objective of our study was to assess species composition and distribution of ctenophores in the northern Baltic Sea; they were expected to be native P. pileus and invasive M. leidyi, in accordance with previous studies (Ackefors 1969;Vuorinen and Vihersaari 1989;Lehtiniemi et al 2007). Species identification was based on sequencing 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS1), and 5.8S rRNA gene using ctenophores collected by vertically stratified sampling.…”

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confidence: 93%

“…As of the summer of 2007, it had been reported from virtually all basins of the sea, including its northern part (Lehtiniemi et al 2007). The other comb jelly known to be native and present throughout the Baltic is Pleurobrachia pileus, belonging to the order Cydippida.…”

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confidence: 99%

Molecular evidence for the occurrence of ctenophore Mertensia ovum in the northern Baltic Sea and implications for the status of the Mnemiopsis leidyi invasion

Gorokhova

Lehtiniemi²,

Viitasalo-Frösen³

et al. 2009

Limnology & Oceanography

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Nucleotide sequence analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), internal transcribed spacer, and 5.8S rRNA was used for taxonomic identification of ctenophores collected in the northern Baltic Sea, where invasive Mnemiopsis leidyi and native Pleurobrachia pileus have been reported to occur. Contrary to previous reports, sequence analysis of 53 randomly selected specimens from seven stations revealed that none of them were M. leidyi or P. pileus. The 18S rRNA and 5.8S rRNA sequences were 100% identical to those of Mertensia ovum, a ctenophore with a broad Arctic and circumboreal distribution, which has never been reported to occur in the Baltic Sea. Polymerase chain reaction screening with primers designed to amplify all three species, and using ctenophores collected by vertically stratified sampling, confirmed that all ctenophores collected in this survey were M. ovum. The ctenophore abundance was high, up to 4500 individuals m 22 , positively correlating with salinity. Our findings emphasize the utility of applying molecular tools to biological surveys and the importance of rigorous species identification. They also indicate that M. leidyi, which is a threat to the southern Baltic ecosystem, does not occur in the northern part of the sea, and call for a pan-Baltic survey to establish current distributions of ctenophores, both native and invasive.

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“…It became particularly infamous for causing major ecological and economic damage to the Black Sea ecosystem after its introduction in the 1980s Stone 2005). Its presence in northern European waters has been reported in some Netherlands estuaries where it probably existed already since several years (Faasse and Bayha 2006), and recent records indicate a progressive eastward spread (Janas and Zgrundo 2007;Javidpour et al 2006;Kube et al 2007;Lehtiniemi et al 2007). In the southwest Baltic Sea, the first record of M. leidyi was October 2006 (Javidpour et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes and population dynamics of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi after its first year of invasion in the Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic Sea

et al. 2008

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We analyzed the seasonal variations of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi weekly collected since its first record in the western Baltic Sea in October 2006. The distribution pattern together with the seasonal dynamics and population outbreaks in late summer 2007 indicate recent successfully establishment of M. leidyi in this area. Seasonal changes showed two periods of high reproductive activity characterized by a population structure dominated by small size classes, followed by an increase of larger ones. These results further revealed that the bulk of the population remains in deep layers during the periods of low population density, whereas it appeared situated in upper layers during the proliferation of the species. We further emphasized the strength of the population outbreaks, which can reach abundances [10-fold higher in time periods shorter than a week. The predatory impact this species may have in pelagic ecosystems warns on the importance of its recent range of expansion.

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Distribution and abundance of the American comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi) – A rapid invasion to the northern Baltic Sea during 2007

Cited by 25 publications

References 14 publications

Spreading and physico-biological reproduction limitations of the invasive American comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic Sea

Spreading and physico-biological reproduction limitations of the invasive American comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic Sea

Molecular evidence for the occurrence of ctenophore Mertensia ovum in the northern Baltic Sea and implications for the status of the Mnemiopsis leidyi invasion

Seasonal changes and population dynamics of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi after its first year of invasion in the Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic Sea

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