Posters

Poster Session 3, Wednesday,  October  5, 16:00–18:00

Poster 7

Bioluminescence of the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi: First Flash Kinetics and Shear Stress Thresholds

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is an opportunistic species that can be extremely abundant and invasive in many parts of the world. It is well known for its bright bioluminescence, but its light emission response to flow stimulation has not been previously quantified. The objective of this study is to determine the luminescent response of M. leidyi to several types of mechanical stimuli, including fully characterized laminar pipe flow, an impeller pump with the UBAT bathyphotometer, grid stimulated pipe flow, and stirring as the stimulus within an integrating sphere. For all conditions, the light intensity and temporal kinetics of the flash responses are determined. For pipe flow, the response threshold is assessed as a function of fluid shear stress. Tests with different ages of cydippids will determine how the bioluminescent responses differ with developmental stage, as the flashes of older and larger individuals are typically higher in intensity and longer in duration. This study will provide a well-defined baseline of cydippid flash responses and shear stress thresholds, which can be used for interpreting field measurements made with bathyphotometers and determining their contribution to the bioluminescence potential of waters where they are present.

*Abigail Blackburn, HBOI, [email protected], 0000-0002-9903-3181

Michael Twardowski, HBOI, [email protected]

Malcolm McFarland, HBOI, [email protected], 0000-0001-7776-6053

Ed Malkiel, HBOI, [email protected]

Michael Latz, Scripps, [email protected], 0000-0003-1199-5894

Dorothy Mitchell, Whitney Lab UF, [email protected], 0000-0003-3813-0081