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<p><i>Cassiopea</i>, commonly known as “upside-down” jellyfish, is a globally distributed genus of Scyphozoa found in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on the distribution, habitat preferences, trophic interactions, and physiological adaptations of <i>Cassiopea</i> to evaluate the current literature on the field ecology of the upside-down jellyfish and provide a baseline of their ecological impacts in a rapidly changing environment. <i>Cassiopea</i> exhibits a unique life history alternating between a sexual medusa phase and a benthic, sessile polyp stage, characterized by a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates of the Symbiodiniaceae family, which is essential for this metamorphosis. This mutualistic symbiosis provides the jellyfish with a sheltered habitat and enables it to receive up to 70% of its basal energy needs from photosynthetic symbionts. As mixotrophs, <i>Cassiopea</i> efficiently captures a variety of food particles, including microorganisms and small zooplankton, through mucus and ciliary currents from the water column while also benefiting from photosynthetic nutrients. The relevance of this genus is heightened by the rising research of their potential role as both a bioindicator and an ecosystem engineer, particularly in human-impacted coastal systems. However, a significant knowledge gap remains, as the majority of research has concentrated on the Western Atlantic, leading to a limited understanding of the field ecology and behavior of <i>Cassiopea</i> in other ecosystems worldwide. This review highlights the necessity for further research beyond the Western Atlantic to fully comprehend the global ecology of <i>Cassiopea</i> and identifies critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research attention.</p>

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Life upside-down: review of ecological roles of Cassiopea (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) in marine ecosystems—a look at the Western Atlantic

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月7日

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  • Ramón Damián Morejón-Arrojo,
  • Marta Mammone,
  • Natalia B. López-Figueroa,
  • Elizabeth W. Stoner,
  • Leandro Rodríguez-Viera

摘要

Cassiopea, commonly known as “upside-down” jellyfish, is a globally distributed genus of Scyphozoa found in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on the distribution, habitat preferences, trophic interactions, and physiological adaptations of Cassiopea to evaluate the current literature on the field ecology of the upside-down jellyfish and provide a baseline of their ecological impacts in a rapidly changing environment. Cassiopea exhibits a unique life history alternating between a sexual medusa phase and a benthic, sessile polyp stage, characterized by a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates of the Symbiodiniaceae family, which is essential for this metamorphosis. This mutualistic symbiosis provides the jellyfish with a sheltered habitat and enables it to receive up to 70% of its basal energy needs from photosynthetic symbionts. As mixotrophs, Cassiopea efficiently captures a variety of food particles, including microorganisms and small zooplankton, through mucus and ciliary currents from the water column while also benefiting from photosynthetic nutrients. The relevance of this genus is heightened by the rising research of their potential role as both a bioindicator and an ecosystem engineer, particularly in human-impacted coastal systems. However, a significant knowledge gap remains, as the majority of research has concentrated on the Western Atlantic, leading to a limited understanding of the field ecology and behavior of Cassiopea in other ecosystems worldwide. This review highlights the necessity for further research beyond the Western Atlantic to fully comprehend the global ecology of Cassiopea and identifies critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research attention.