SIGNIFICANCE: This paper serves as a reply to the Commentary by Brown and Gibbons (S Afr J Sci. 2022;118(9/10), Art. #12590) on our recently published paper on systematics of the moon jellyfish genus Aurelia (Lawley et al. PeerJ 2021;9, e11954)). We emphasise that we are not advocating for the routine use of molecular data alone in taxonomic diagnoses, rather that it is a valid approach in cases where, after detailed analyses, morphological features are shown to be unreliable

Abstract Ephyrae are the young scyphozoan jellyfishes that usually passes unnoticed, whereas their adult counterparts play major ecological roles and can negatively affect economic activities when they occur in high densities. We describe, for the first time, wild ephyrae of Lychnorhiza lucerna (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae) from the Patos Lagoon Estuary, Southern Brazil. A total of 10 ephyrae were found in salinities between 12 and 33 and temperatures between 16 and 27°C. The presence of digitata, eight oral arms and serrated tips on marginal lobes allowed species determination. Wild ephyrae were morphologically identical to laboratory-cultivated individuals. The youngest individual was about one to two days old, and the most developed one, between 12 and 14 days old. Recruitment of L. lucerna probably initiated during warmer months (December until February) because nine out of ten individuals were found in high temperature (> 20° C) and salinity (> 30) waters. On the other hand, a mid-winter occurrence of a single ephyra (T=16° C, S= 12) demonstrates that the species may support a considerable range of variation in the physical environment. We reinforce the importance of long-term studies to provide information about the species coupling with seasonal cycles and the dynamics of estuarine and coastal areas.

ABSTRACT The massive occurrence of jellyfish in several areas of the world is reported annually, but most of the data come from the northern hemisphere and often refer to a restricted group of species that are not in the genus Cassiopea. This study records a massive, clonal and non-native population of Cassiopea and discusses the possible scenarios that resulted in the invasion of the Brazilian coast by these organisms. The results indicate that this jellyfish might have invaded the Brazilian coast multiple times.

ABSTRACT In this study, we reported the species composition and spatial distribution of Scyphomedusae and Cubomedusae from the southwestern Atlantic and Subantarctic region and reviewed the available knowledge of life history traits of these species. We gathered the literature records and presented new information collected from oceanographic and fishery surveys carried out between 1981 and 2017, encompassing an area of approximately 6,7 million km2 (32-60°S, 34-70°W). We confirmed the occurrence of 15 scyphozoans and 1 cubozoan species previously reported in the region. Lychnorhiza lucerna and Chrysaora lactea were the most numerous species, reaching the highest abundances/biomasses during summer/autumn period. Desmonema gaudichaudi, Chrysaora plocamia, and Periphylla periphylla were frequently observed in low abundances, reaching high numbers only occasionally. Phacellophora camtschatica, Aurelia sp., Drymonema gorgo, Atolla chuni, Stygiomedusa gigantea and Pelagia cf. noctiluca were observed always in low numbers. Atolla wyvillei, Stomolophus meleagris, Desmonema comatum and Tamoya haplonema were reported just a few times and mostly individually. Although new species/reports can be found as surveys are undertaken, these results are considered to be the reliable baseline for further ecological studies seeking to understand the ecological role that these jellyfish play in marine ecosystems.

RESUMO Esta nota registra a redescoberta de Sanderia malayensis em águas paquistanesas desde a Expedição John Murray (1933-34) que coletou dois pequenos exemplares na costa de Carachi. Os espécimes foram descritos e nós discutimos a forma do contorno das bolsas estomacais. Nós também comentamos sobre a medusa Rhopilema nomadica recentemente registrada para a região, e acreditamos tratar-se de uma espécie do gênero previamente registrada, Rhopilema hispidum.

ABSTRACT In this report, we record the rediscovery of Sanderia malayensis in Pakistani waters since the John Murray Expedition (1933-34) who collected two small specimens off-Karachi, Pakistan. The specimens were described and we discuss the shape of gastric pouches contour. We also comment upon the newly recorded Rhopilema nomadica jellyfish from the region, and assume it to be previously recorded as Rhopilema hispidum.

The frequency of jellyfish blooms is generating a world-wide discussion about medusae population explosions, mainly those associated with stings. We report over 20,000 envenomations caused by Chrysaora lactea (Scyphozoa) in the State of Paraná (southern Brazil) during the austral summer of 2011 -2012. Envenomations were considered mild, but almost 600 cases were treated in emergency services, with either toxic and allergic reactions, some with systemic manifestations. We proposed non-exclusive hypotheses to explain this large number of cases.

La frecuencia de 'blooms' de medusas está generando debate a nivel mundial sobre los incrementos de poblaciones de medusas, sobre todo lo relacionado con picaduras. Se reportan más de 20.000 envenenamientos ocasionados por Chrysaora lactea (Scyphozoa) en el Estado de Paraná (sur del Brasil) durante el verano austral 2011-2012. Los envenenamientos fueron considerados leves, pero cerca de 600 casos fueron tratados en los servicios de emergencia, ya sea con reacciones toxicas o alérgicas, algunas de ellas con manifestaciones sistémicas. Se proponen hipótesis no excluyentes para explicar este gran número de casos.

As espécies de Cubozoa e Scyphozoa costeiras que ocorrem no Brasil são descritas, com base em espécimes de coleções de museus e exemplares recém-coletados. Chaves de identificação e um glossário também são apresentados. As espécies descritas são: Aurelia sp.; Cassiopea xamachana Bigelow, 1892; Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Müller, 1859); Chrysaora lactea Eschscholtz, 1829; Drymonema dalmatinum Haeckel, 1880; Linuche unguiculata (Swartz, 1788); Lychnorhiza lucerna Haeckel, 1880; Nausithoe aurea Silveira & Morandini, 1997; Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884; Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz, 1862; Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859 e Tripedalia cystophora Conant, 1897.

Coastal species of Cubozoa and Scyphozoa occurring in Brazil are described, based on museum specimens and recently collected ones. Identification keys and a glossary are also presented. The listed species are: Aurelia sp.; Cassiopea xamachana Bigelow, 1892; Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Müller, 1859); Chrysaora lactea Eschscholtz, 1829; Drymonema dalmatinum Haeckel, 1880; Linuche unguiculata (Swartz, 1788); Lychnorhiza lucerna Haeckel, 1880; Nausithoe aurea Silveira & Morandini, 1997; Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884; Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz, 1862; Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859; and Tripedalia cystophora Conant, 1897.

Uma sinopse sobre o conhecimento dos Medusozoa (Cnidaria) da costa brasileira é apresentada. Este estudo é baseado em uma lista com todos os registros de Medusozoa para o Brasil, incluindo informações sobre a distribuição das espécies e suas fases (pólipo ou medusa). O número de espécies de Medusozoa registradas para o Brasil até o momento é 377 (205 gêneros e 82 famílias), com 348 espécies de hidrozoários, 22 de cifozoários, 3 de cubozoários e 1 de estaurozoário. Análises geográfica e histórica também foram conduzidas. A análise geográfica mostra claramente a ausência de conhecimento sobre a biodiversidade da costa norte bem como de parte da costa nordeste do país. Embora a costa sudeste seja a melhor conhecida em termos de números de espécies e representantes de táxons supragenéricos registrados, há em geral ausência de conhecimento sobre ambientes diferentes das águas rasas, um padrão também observado para as outras regiões. Historicamente, o crescimento dos registros de hidrozoários iniciou-se após a década de 1940, com um aumento na última década; os estudos com coronados estão todos concentrados na última década mas, em geral, outros grupos mostram um acúmulo lento e gradual nos registros de espécies. Linhas gerais e políticas para o estudo da biodiversidade dos Medusozoa são sugeridas.

A synopsis of knowledge concerning Medusozoa (Cnidaria) along the Brazilian coast is presented. We generated a data list with all records of medusozoans from Brazil, including information on the distribution of the species and the phase (polyp or medusa) recorded. Currently the number of species of Medusozoa recorded from Brazil is 377 (205 genera and 82 families), with 348 species of hydrozoans, 22 scyphozoans, 3 cubozoans and 1 staurozoan. Geographical and historical analyses were carried out based on the data list. The geographical analysis reveals that knowledge on biodiversity of the group is most inadequate for the North and part of the Northeastern coast. Although the Southeastern coast is the best known region in number of species and representative suprageneric taxa recorded, in general there is a lack of knowledge of the fauna in other than shallow waters, a pattern also observed for all other regions. Historically, the rapid increase of records on hydrozoans began in the 1940s and accelerated during the last decade. Investigations on coronates are all concentrated in the last decade but, in general, other groups show slow and gradual accumulation of species records. Guidelines and policies for the study of medusozoan biodiversity are suggested.

Uma lista dos Cnidaria Medusozoa marinhos do Brasil foi composta a partir de registros de ocorrência disponíveis na literatura. Até o momento, há um total de 373 espécies registradas para o Brazil: 347 de Hydrozoa, 3 de Cubozoa e 23 de Scyphozoa.

Literature records were reviewed to compile a list of species of the marine taxa of Cnidaria Medusozoa recorded for the Brazilian coast. The total number of species of medusozoans so far recorded for Brazil is 373: 347 Hydrozoa, 3 Cubozoa: 23 Scyphozoa.