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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Ocean jellification is associated with increasing occurrence of jellyfishes. Jellyfish are
gelatinous organisms, with a life cycle composed by sessile stage (polyp) and free
living stage (medusa). Blooms jellies, which may have negative impact on fisheries and
tourism, are strongly driven by the availability of food, since predators are relatively
reduce. The diet of jellies includes small crustacean, egg and fish larvae. Yet, recent
UAlg studies showed a much more diverse diet (ex: drifting microbes, terrestrial
detritus). Major contributors for ocean jellification are closed connect to men activities
and include: (1) excessive input of nutrients (ex: sewage agriculture fertilizers), (2)
overfishing of fishes and sea turtles; (3) introduction of artificial structures and (4)
changes in hydrological cycle (ex: river dams).