Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2021, Vol 21, Num, 2 (Pages: 87-94)
Temporal Dynamics of Jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca Stranded on the Mediterranean Coast of Morocco
Bilal Mghili 1 ,Mohamed Analla 1 ,Mustapha Aksissou 1
1 Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of sciences, Department of Biology, Tetouan, Morocco
DOI :
10.4194/1303-2712-v21_2_04
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Seasonal dynamics of the scyphomedusa Pelagia noctiluca were studied along with
their relation to certain environmental factors between the study period that extends
from January 2018 to December 2019. During 2018, stranded individuals of P. noctiluca
appeared throughout this year, but their high frequency was reported in the summer
. While in contrast, P. noctiluca in 2019 was reported in a very low number only during
the winter season and had not been detected in the other seasons of this year. The
overall results revealed that the inter-annual variations in the abundance of jellyfish
were not significantly (P<0.05) correlated with water temperature, relative humidity
and atmospheric pressure. Our results showed easterly winds as a significant predictor
of P. noctiluca strandings. The bell diameters of examined jellyfish ranged from 30 to
130 mm, with mean of 72 mm. Stranded mature jellyfish individuals as well as young
ones were recorded throughout the year 2018. The size distribution indicated that P.
noctiluca can reproduce all around the year, with its more intense activityduring the
spring. The continuing presence of P. noctiluca in the Moroccan Mediterranean makes
it necessary to set effective strategies in order to prevent and minimize their impact
on economic activities.
Keywords :
Populations dynamics, Mauve stinger, Jellyfish, Mediterranean Sea