Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Occurrence of Aequorea pensilis (Haeckel, 1879) from Ratnagiri, West coast of India

Volume 67 Issue 1

P. J. Ade, A. D. Adsul, A. S. Pawase, M. S. Sawant, R. A. Pawar, S. T. Indulkar and P. V. Nimbarte

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2025.67.1.2522-18

Abstract

Hydrozoa, a diverse group of cnidarians, inhabit various aquatic environments, displaying a wide array of life cycles, growth patterns, and specialised structures. This study documents the presence of Aequorea pensilis in Jaigad, Ratnagiri, marking the first record of this species in the region. Monthly sampling was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 in a motorised commercial trawl fishing boat at two stations along the Jaigad coast, at depths of 18 and 36 m. A total of 64 individuals of A. pensilis were collected, characterised by a bell diameter range of 30-45 mm, a biconvex umbrella, and 12-16 tentacles. They are known for their eurythermal and euryhaline nature. This finding contributes to the understanding of A. pensilis diversity along the Indian coast.

Keywords

Crystal jellyfish, bottom trawler, Aequorea, Ratnagiri, India

Date : 17-05-2025