A… Outbreaks of noxious biota, which occur in both aquatic and terrestrial systems, can have considerable negative economic impacts. What if you can’t go to any of those places? A new prototype ecological forecasting system predicts the likelihood of occurrence of the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), a stinging jellyfish, in the Chesapeake Bay. Sea Nettles. During the spring they break apart when salinity and temperatures rise and grow to adults. When most Marylanders think of jellyfish, they picture Bay beaches surrounded by globes of milky-white — and stinging — sea nettles. While sea nettles are found from Massachusetts to Texas along the Gulf of Mexico and are heavily concentrated in the Chesapeake Bay, they seem to … Chesapeake Bay. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jul 19, 2013. (previous post here) Most of the Sea Nettles didn't stay but a few days before the tides carried them away to new destinations. Although many people think this is a jellyfish it isn’t, it is a distant relative of ctenes. Sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) are one of many different types of gelatinous zooplankton (gooey floating animals) found in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay (and along the East coast). This is very bad news. Luckily a few big ones remained for a… Subsequent research has shown that the nettles are actually protectors, not predators, of the oysters. I go organic as much as possible. Sea nettles are carnivorous. They encase themselves by rolling up in a ball and then lay dormant on the bottom of the bay during the winter. The beautiful, but dangerous, creatures are found mainly the middle section of the Bay, where the water is saltiest. Since we were discussing sea nettles in another post, thought I'd share this article. sea nettles, C. quinquecirrha, on August 17, 2007 Predicted relative abundance of Karlodinium veneficum on August 17, 2007 Generate daily nowcasts and 3-day forecasts of: • Chrysaora quinquecirrha (Sea Nettles) • Karlodinium veneficum • Vibrio cholerae Ecological Prediction in Chesapeake Bay: Current Demonstrations Stinging nettles are found along much of the East Coast, with some areas much worse than others. Three species of jellyfish can be found in the Chesapeake Bay: sea nettles, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, moon jellyfish or common jellyfish, Aurelia aurita, and lion’s mane jellyfish, Cyanea capillata. I previously shared photos and information on Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles that had suddenly appeared in large numbers in Cambridge Creek back in September. For the last 175 years, scientists have assumed these two common jellyfish were a single species. More than 18 million people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Distinguishing Features. But that’s easy to say. Since then, it is also commonly known as the bay nettle. Jellyfish have a transparent, gelatinous body and an umbrella-shaped bell called a medusa. Many of these animals, closely related to corals and anemones, are important grazers in the Bay. Such I plant things I know are crucial to certain species. Its 64,000 square mile watershed encompasses one of the most economically significant regions of the United States. But despite this dubious status, jellyfish and their relatives play an integral role in the Chesapeake ecosystem. These whitish-colored jellies soar in numbers in summer and can be a pesky (and painful) nuisance to swimmers. It occurs from Cape Cod south along the U.S. East Coast into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, but is most abundant in Chesapeake Bay, particularly in middle-Bay tributaries, where it is white. 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