NEMATOCYSTS OF RHOPILEMA-NOMADICA (SCYPHOZOA, RHIZOSTOMEAE), AN IMMIGRANT JELLYFISH IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Rhopilema nomadica-a recently discovered scyphomedusa in the eastern Mediterranean-is considered a lessepsian migrant. Its nematocysts were extracted from the scapular and mouth-arm tentacles and examined using light and electron microscopy techniques. The morphometric parameters of the nematocysts were measured before and after complete discharge. Three categories of nematocysts were identified: heterotrichous isorhiza haploneme, holotrichous isorhiza haploneme, and heterotrichous microbasic eurytele. The relative abundance of the nematocysts and their occurrence in tissues of the jellyfish were noted. A brief discussion concerning the classification of certain types of nematocysts is given. A comparison with the available data on other Rhopilema species revealed that the nematocyst categories of R. nomadica are more similar to those of the Atlantic R. verrilli than to those of the Western Pacific R. esculentum. A brief comparison of the injuries caused by these species is given. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.