Similarities between the biochemical composition of jellyfish body and mucus

Hubot, Nathan; Giering, Sarah L C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-1876; Lucas, Cathy H; Irigoien, Xabier. 2022 Similarities between the biochemical composition of jellyfish body and mucus. Journal of Plankton Research, 44 (2). 337-344. https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbab091

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbab091

Abstract/Summary

Recognition of the importance of jellyfish in marine ecosystems is growing. Yet, the biochemical composition of the mucus that jellyfish constantly excrete is poorly characterized. Here we analyzed the macromolecular (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) and elemental (carbon and nitrogen) composition of the body and mucus of five scyphozoan jellyfish species (Aurelia aurita, Chrysaora fulgida, Chrysaora pacifica, Eupilema inexpectata and Rhizostoma pulmo). We found that the relative contribution of the different macromolecules and elements in the jellyfish body and mucus was similar across all species, with protein being the major component in all samples (81 ± 4% of macromolecules; 3.6 ± 3.1% of dry weight, DW) followed by lipids (13 ± 4% of macromolecules; 0.5 ± 0.4%DW) and carbohydrates (6 ± 3% of macromolecules; 0.3 ± 0.4%DW). The energy content of the jellyfish matter ranged from 0.2 to 3.1 KJ g−1 DW. Carbon and nitrogen content was 3.7 ± 3.0 and 1.0 ± 0.8%DW, respectively. The average ratios of protein:lipid:carbohydrate and carbon:nitrogen for all samples were 14.6:2.3:1 and 3.8:1, respectively. Our study highlights the biochemical similarity between the jellyfish body and mucus and provides convenient and valuable ratios to support the integration of jellyfish into trophic and biogeochemical models.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbab091
ISSN:	0142-7873
Date made live:	01 Dec 2022 12:22 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533663

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbab091

ISSN:

0142-7873

Date made live:

01 Dec 2022 12:22 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533663