En este trabajo registra el primer hallazgo de la hidromedusa Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 en el hemisferio sur. Alrededor de 30 medusas recientemente liberadas fueron encontradas en un acuario en septiembre de 2008. Este acuario contenía muestras bentónicas colectadas en la franja rocosa intermareal y submareal de Mar del Plata, cerca de uno de los puertos más importantes de Argentina. Las medusas fueron alimentadas con Artemia salina hasta su maduración gonadal. Se discute la posible vía de introducción de esta especie.In this paper we report the first finding of the hydromedusa Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 in the southern hemisphere. About thirty newly released medusae were found within an aquarium on September 2008. The aquarium contained benthic samples collected in intertidal and subtidal rocky fringe off Mar del Plata, near a commercially important harbor in Argentina. Medusae were feed with Artemia salina until sexual maturation. Possible way of species introduction is discussed.Fil: Rodriguez, Carolina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Pujol, M. G.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Municipalidad de General Pueyrredon. Secretaría de Cultura. Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales Lorenzo Scaglia; ArgentinaFil: Mianzan, Hermes Walter. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Genzano, Gabriel Nestor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Genzano, Gabriel Nestor

Mianzan, Hermes Walter

Pujol, M. G.

Rodriguez, Carolina Soledad

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research

CONICET Digital

Finding of Gonionemus vertens in the southern hemisphere                                                             653   Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res., 42(3): 653-657, 2014 DOI: 103856/vol42-issue3-fulltext-23  Short Communication  First record of the invasive stinging medusa Gonionemus vertens in the southern hemisphere (Mar del Plata, Argentina)   Carolina S. Rodriguez1, M.G. Pujol2, H.W. Mianzan1,3 & G.N. Genzano1 1Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), CONICET-UNMdP Funes 3250, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina 2Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales Lorenzo Scaglia  Av. Libertad 3099, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina 3Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP) P.O. Box 175, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina    ABSTRACT. In this paper we report the first finding of the hydromedusa Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 in the southern hemisphere. About thirty newly released medusae were found within an aquarium on September 2008. The aquarium contained benthic samples collected in intertidal and subtidal rocky fringe off Mar del Plata, near a commercially important harbor in Argentina. Medusae were fed with Artemia salina until sexual maturation. Possible way of species introduction is discussed. Keywords: Gonionemus vertens, Limnomedusae, Hydrozoa, biological invasions, Argentina.    Primer registro de la medusa urticante invasora Gonionemus vertens   en el hemisferio sur (Mar del Plata, Argentina)  RESUMEN. En este trabajo se da a conocer el primer hallazgo de la hidromedusa Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 en el hemisferio sur. Alrededor de 30 medusas recientemente liberadas fueron encontradas en un acuario en septiembre de 2008. Este acuario contenía muestras bentónicas colectadas en la franja rocosa intermareal y submareal de Mar del Plata, cerca de uno de los puertos más importantes de Argentina. Las medusas fueron alimentadas con Artemia salina hasta su maduración gonadal. Se discute la posible vía de introducción de esta especie. Palabras clave: Gonionemus vertens, Limnomedusae, Hydrozoa, invasiones biológicas, Argentina. ___________________ Corresponding author: Carolina S. Rodriguez (csrodrig@mdp.edu.ar)   Introductions of non-indigenous species increased in frequency across coastal regions of the world in the early 20th century. Introduced species are transported within and between oceans regardless of physical, spatial, or temporal barriers (Carlton & Geller, 1993; Carlton, 1996). In marine ecosystems, ship's ballast water is considered the main route for most of the described marine introductions (Carlton & Geller, 1993). Although there are few described occurrences of gelatinous zooplankton that have successfully invaded different coastal environments of the world (Graham & Bayha, 2007), some of these invasions had dramatic economic and ecological consequences (Miglietta & Lessios, 2009). Examples include high concentrations of medusae clogging fishing nets and stinging species creating problems along recreational beaches (Graham et al., 2003; Graham & Bayha, 2007). Hydromedusae (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) can be transported through ballast water, but if the species has a meroplanktonic life cycle, their benthic stage can also be introduced as a part of the ship’s fouling fauna (Rees & Gershwin, 2000; Genzano et al., 2006; Miglietta & Lessios, 2009).  In the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, the Hydrozoa fauna have been widely studied in recent decades and its species richness is well known (see Migotto et al., 2002; Genzano et al., 2008, 2009; Rodriguez et al., 2012, and references therein). New species have been recently described (Nogueira et al., 2013), and two invasive species were also discovered. The two invasive species were well known non-indigenous hydromedusae Blackfordia virginica Mayer, 1910 and 654                                                          Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research   Moerisia inkermanica Paltschikowa-Ostroumova, 1925, found in different estuaries and harbors with intense shipping traffic along the south Atlantic coast (Genzano et al., 2006; Nogueira & Oliveira, 2006; Bardi & Marques, 2009; Freire et al., 2013).  In this paper we present the finding of another invasive hydromedusa, Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 (Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae), found for the first time in the southern hemisphere. This species has been introduced in several regions (Edwards, 1976; Wolff, 2005) and has gained notoriety due to its strong effects on human health (Pigulevsky & Michaleff, 1969). The medusa of G. vertens produces severe envenomation, pain and neuropsychiatric changes. Humans who come into contact with its stinging cells may suffer severe allergic reactions, including burning, edema, convulsions, disturbed respiration, psychological disorders, etc. (Pigulevsky & Michaleff, 1969; Arai & Brinckmann-Voss, 1980). This species is strictly littoral, occurring in shallow waters close to the shore and in coastal lagoons. It has adapted unusual behavior due to its semi-benthic habit (Mills, 1993). Helped by their adhesive tentacles, the medusae clings to weeds or other objects, and only at nightfall or on cloudy days they swim to the surface (Edwards, 1976; Singla, 1977). Furthermore, this species has minute polyps which are extremely difficult to find in situ. Due to their behavior and habitats, polyps and medusae have been frequently reported in aquaria (Bakker, 1980). About thirty newly released medusae were found within an aquarium on September 2008. This aquarium contained benthic samples collected in intertidal and subtidal rocky fringe of Punta Iglesias, Mar del Plata coast (38º18’S, 57º45’W) near one of the most commercially important harbors of Argentina (Fig. 1). The temperature (~18°C) and salinity (~33.7) conditions were controlled and the medusae were fed with Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758) until gonad maturation.  These medusae were assigned to the genus Gonionemus, which is well distinguished from other marine genera of Limnomedusae. The genera Eperetmus Bigelow, 1915, Maeotias Ostroumoff, 1896, and Olindias Müller, 1861 have centripetal canals; Nuarchus Bigelow, 1912 and Hexaphilia Gershwin & Zeidler, 2003 have six radial canals; Gossea Agassiz, 1862 has tentacles arranged in groups; and Cubaia Mayer, 1894 and Vallentinia Browne, 1902 have two kinds of tentacles (Bouillon & Boero, 2000; see Table 6 in Gershwin & Zeidler, 2003). The genus Scolionema Kishinouye, 1910 is very similar to Gonionemus Agassiz, 1862, however, Scolionema has up to 16 statocysts (Bouillon & Boero, 2000; Gershwin & Zeidler, 2003) and Gonionemus has statocysts alternating with successive tentacles, varying in number from somewhat fewer than the marginal tentacles to nearly twice as many (Arai & Brinckmann-Voss, 1980).  These analyzed specimens of Gonionemus have: around a 10 mm width, four radial channels, a manubrium shorter than the umbrella cavity, a mouth with four lips slightly crenulated, four folded gonads along radial channels leaving the distal part free, between 40 and 44 hollow tentacles, each tentacle has ring-like nematocyst clusters and adhesive pads near the distal end, and one or two statocysts between successive tentacles enclosed in mesoglea near ring canal with a single endodermal club. These characteristics agree with previous descriptions of the species Gonionemus vertens Agassiz, 1862 (Arai & Brinckmann-Voss, 1980; Russell, 1953) (Fig. 2). G. vertens is distributed in very shallow temperate waters of the northern hemisphere (Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean), but it is absent from arctic and tropical zones (Edwards, 1976; Arai & Brinckmann-Voss, 1980). The region of origin for G. vertens is not entirely clear; some authors have proposed that it is indigenous to the North Pacific (Japan, Korea and China) and others that it is indigenous to the Atlantic coast of North America (Edwards, 1976; Eno et al., 1997; Wolff, 2005). The species is abundant in Japan while in others regions its presence is sporadic. The introduction of the species in other parts of the world may be related to the transport of Japanese oysters, which carried the benthic stage of G. vertens, or they may have been part of the fouling community on ships (Edwards, 1976; Baker, 1980).  The city of Mar del Plata has one of the most important commercial harbors in Argentina, receiving both national and international cargo ships and fishing vessels (Meretta et al., 2012). This harbor is considered to be a “hot spot” for non-indigenous species (Albano et al., 2013). Numerous invasive marine species have been found in the harbor (Orensanz et al., 2002); therefore, it is not surprising that G. vertens polyps inhabit this community. Further, the intertidal zone of Mar del Plata coast is characterized by dense beds of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (D’Orbigny, 1846) (Scelzo et al., 1996), which could serve as substrate for polyps of G. vertens.    The polyp is solitary, very small (1 mm length), and remains attached to seaweed, sea grasses and oysters (Edwards, 1976). These polyps are able to survive for years without forming medusae buds so the species can exist in an ecosystem long-term solely in its benthic stage. Additionally, the polyp is able to asexually produce vermiform buds or “frustules” which give rise to new polyps, consequently increasing the number of Finding of Gonionemus vertens in the southern hemisphere                                                             655    Figure 1. Location of where the specimens of Gonionemus vertens were found (black circle).    Figure 2. Specimen of Gonionemus vertens found in this study. Scale bar 3 mm.  polyps over time (Edwards, 1976; Bakker, 1980). These characteristics of G. vertens increase the probability of benthic stage transport to new regions. The polyps can remain dormant in a new ecosystem until environmental conditions are favorable and then reproduce asexually generating medusae. The Buenos Aires coast presents the most important recreational beaches of Argentina. In some of them two hydromedusae, Olindias sambaquiensis Müller, 1861 and Liriope tetraphylla Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821 typically cause severe stings on bathers (Kokelj et al., 1993; Mianzan & Ramirez, 1996; Mianzan et al., 2000, 2001; Mosovich & Young, 2012), affecting tourist activities. The presence of additional stinging hydromedusae should be taken into consideration because of the public health impacts and economical losses it may cause. Therefore, it is important to continue studies to corroborate if this species has been established in Mar del Plata. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This paper was partially funded by PIP – CONICET 0152, EXA 639/13, and Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales "Lorenzo Scaglia", Secretaria de Cultura, Municipalidad del Partido de General Pueyrredon. 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Primer registro de la medusa urticante invasora Gonionemus vertens en el hemisferio sur (Mar del Plata, Argentina)

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Primer registro de la medusa urticante invasora Gonionemus vertens en el hemisferio sur (Mar del Plata, Argentina)

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