Sea Nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) Polyps in Barnegat Bay, NJ: a Pilot Assessment

Final Project Report

Submitted to the Barnegat Bay Partnership

Fall 2011

By Paul Bologna, Ph. D., Director Aquatic and Coastal Sciences Program Department of Biology and Molecular Biology Montclair State University Montclair, NJ 07043

Executive Summary

Sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) have become more abundant in the estuaries of the Mid-Atlantic States. Their ample numbers are an indicator of a disturbed ecosystem. Various factors have been attributed to the rise in numbers of sea nettles; eutrophication, overfishing, global warming, construction and species introduction. Barnegat Bay is a highly eutrophic system with excess nitrogen and organic carbon arriving in the bay via runoff and watershed waste inputs. Results from 2010 showed settlement began in June and peaked between July and August. The distribution was concentrated in the northern part of the bay with Cattus Island showing the highest settlement densities of approximately 50,000/m2! Each of these polyps has the ability to produce 5-50 medusa stage sea nettles throughout their life, which then swim in the bay and sting unwary residents and visitors. Polyps also produce overwintering podocysts which generate the following years’ population. Results from April 2011 showed that overwintering podocyst density was approximately 9,000/m2 at Cattus Island, but not present at any other location.

Sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) polyps in Barnegat Bay, NJ: a pilot assessment

Statement of the Problem

Gelatinous zooplankton are increasing in marine ecosystems worldwide as a result of climate change, species introductions, and a number of anthropogenic alterations to coastal food webs that favor jellyfish and ctenophores (Sullivan et al., 2001; Purcell and Decker, 2005; Hay, 2006; Kirby and Beaugrand, 2009; Kirby et al., 2009; Richardson et al., 2009). One important driver of the shift towards greater abundance of gelatinous zooplankton is the construction of hard surfaces such as bulkheads, docks, and other shoreline modifications that provide suitable habitat for scyphozoan polyps (Hoover and Purcell 2009). Another anthropogenic action that favors gelatinous zooplankton is the increase in eutrophication resulting from coastal nutrient loading, which fuels bottom hypoxia in relatively shallow systems. Jellyfish are highly tolerant of low dissolved oxygen conditions and therefore benefit from the impacts of hypoxia on their prey species which are either easier to catch in hypoxic waters or are more concentrated in the overlying normoxic waters. In either situation, jellyfish experience elevated energy intake and reproductive capacity, which ultimately contributes to population growth (Purcell et al., 2001; Grove and Breitburg, 2005; Purcell et al., 2007). Both of these drivers of gelatinous zooplankton increases are prevalent in the Barnegat Bay system.

Project Goal: Assess the timing and distribution of sea nettle polyps

The main focus of this study was to conduct a survey of the polyp settling population distribution in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Previous researchers in Barnegat Bay have suggested that population surveys are necessary to document the distribution and abundance of sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha). As such, this research fills a data gap necessary to address the sea nettle problem and potentially develop management strategies. Two objectives were explored to assess polyp distributions:

1. Experimental settling plates to assess the timing of polyp settlement and their distribution within the bay.

2. Natural surveys of submerged hard structure through photographic identification was conducted in the bay to determine the presence of polyps generating medusa.

Project Sites

Eight sites were investigated for the presence of sea nettle polyps. Table 1 provides the coordinates of these sites. All were within Barnegat Bay, although the Rutgers University Marine Field Station (RUMFS) is located at the mouth of the Great Bay inlet.

Table 1. Coordinate information forall sites in Barnegat Bay Site Abbreviation Latitude Longitude Mantoloking Bridge MB 40.04043 74.05665 Chadwick Beach Island CB 40.00047 74.07181 Cattus Island Park CI 39.98955 74.13480 Toms River TR 39.95008 74.19110 Berkley Island BI 39.87312 74.13368 Lighthouse Center LC 39.77767 74.18758 Parson’s Seafood PS 39.57778 74.32766 RUMFS RU 39.50894 74.32234

Methods

Settlement Distribution and Timing

To assess the timing and distribution of polyps, duplicate settlement plates were created from flat PVC plates and submerged at three depths within the shallow water column (20, 40, and 80cm from the bottom, Figure 1). The top and bottom of each plate were assessed to determine if orientation preferences exist for the polyps as well as if there is a settlement depth preference. Settling plates were deployed at eight sites within Barnegat Bay. Plates were established in May 2010 and monitored monthly until October/November 2010. Additionally, one set of slides from each location was allowed to collect individuals throughout the sampling season (long-term) and these were collected and assessed in the late fall (October/November 2010) while a second set was allowed to overwinter and these were collected in April 2011. Sea nettle polyps which attached to the substrate were identified and counted. Polyps also form podocysts (cysts with stored reserves of organic compounds produced under the pedal discs of polyps of scyphozoans). Figure 2 shows the microscope assisted polyp and podocyst identification. Podocysts enable polyps to survive seasonal adverse conditions. This ability of polyps to persevere and reproduce contribute to future jellyfish blooms; therefore it was essential to assess podocysts and they were counted when present.

Figure 2. Polyps from settling plates. Arrows identify podocysts. Left photograph is focused on the oral surface of the polyp, while the right photograph is focused on the podocysts (dark tan circular objects) laid down by this polyp.

Statistical Analysis

Data were statistically analyzed using 3-WAY General Linear Model (PROC GLM, SAS®) with site, collection period (i.e., month), and orientation as independent variables and polyp or podocyst abundance as the dependant variable in the model. Depth was eliminated in the statistical analyses due to sedimentation on the bottom plates differentially impacting sites.

Molecular Confirmation

Polyp confirmation of Chrysaora quinquecirrha was established through tissue sampling of several small polyps from collection plates. Dr. Jack Gaynor at Montclair State University developed a PCR-based method for the detection of Chrysaora quinquecirrha DNA that exploits the 16S rDNA gene from the mitochondrial genome. This is a multiplexed assay that uses universal Cnidarian primers described by Bridge et al. (1992) in conjunction with C. quinquecirrha specific primers described by Bayha & Graham (2009). When Cnidarian DNA (but not C. quinquecirrha ) is present in a sample we generated a single band of 640 bp. When C. quinquecirrha DNA is present in a sample we get both the Cnidarian band (640 bp) and a smaller (208 bp) band which is unique to C. quinquecirrha. Dr. Gaynor recently sequenced this amplified fragment and has submitted it to Genbank (Genbank Accession #GU300724). This confirmation was essential as other cnidarians also settled on plates (Figure 3).

Field Surveys of Polyps

A polyp survey in the summer of 2010 was conducted adjacent to existing structures near the deployed settlement plates. Underwater photographic images were taken from adjacent hard structures associated with the sampling stations. Unfortunately, the small size of polyps (1- 3mm), the natural fouling associated with structures, and the poor water clarity precluded the identification of any polyps from the field site collections. Results

Samples collected throughout this project demonstrate polyps present at only two sites in the northern part of Barnegat Bay (Table 2). Specifically, Cattus Island showed the highest settlement with approximately 2,000 individual polyps counted, while Chadwick Beach showed the presence of only 9 individuals. Additionally, only Cattus Island showed the presence of podocysts (see Figure 2, Tables 2,3). These podocysts were identified during monthly samples, the long-term sampling slides, and in overwintering slides as well. For both sites, polyp settlement began between June and July of 2010 (settlement present in July samples) and peaked in samples recovered in August. However, continued settlement at these sites was evident into September and October sampling periods. As such, Cattus Island had statistically greater polyp abundance than other sites (F7,896 = 11.2, P< 0.0001) and settlement was statistically greater during the August monthly samples (F4,896 = 8.1, P<0.0001). However, with any large statistical design in which both temporal and spatial differences exist within and among sites, significant interactions were present as well among all interactions investigated. While this may temper the interpretation of main effects in the model, the overall data demonstrate localized settlement in the northern part of the bay with predominance at the Cattus Island site. Results addressing the orientation (Table 3) showed significantly greater abundance of polyps on slides orientated to the benthos compared to those facing the water surface (F1, 896 = 6.3, P <0.02). This orientation would be similar to a floating dock and abundance was about 6 to 8 times greater on the plats facing downward compared to those facing upward. Significant interactions were also present in relationship to orientation since only two sites showed any settlement and they showed seasonal settlement differences. Analysis of podocysts demonstrated significant differences among sites and dates of collection (Table 3) with significantly greater abundance at Cattus Island compared to other sites (F7,896 = 4.6, P < 0.0001) and significantly more collected from September’s samples (F4,896 = 3.6, P< 0.007).

Table 2. Chrysaora quinquecirrha polyps and podocysts found in Barnegat Bay. Tabled values represent total abundance of identified polyps and podocysts. Na indicates that the settling plate apparatus was no longer at the site due to winter storms and ice. Site June July Aug Sep Oct/Nov Long- April 2010 2010 2010 2010t 2010 term 2011 Mantoloking 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chadwick Beach 0 2 6 0 1 0 na Cattus Island polyps 0 13 1528 212 3 172 0 Cattus Island podocysts 0 0 8 76 0 224 292 Toms River 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Berkley Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 na Lighthouse Center 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Parson's Seafood 0 0 0 0 0 0 na RUMFUS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 3. Abundance and orientation of settling polyps from the two sites showing any settlement. CI = Cattus Island, CB = Chadwick Beach. Water Surface relates to slides oriented on the superior surface of the sampling apparatus while Benthos relates to slides orientated on the inferior side of the apparatus. Only Cattus Island showed the presence of podocysts.

Location and Orientation June July August Sept Oct/Nov Long- April term 2011 CI Polyp Water Surface 1 186 31 21 CI Polyp Benthos 12 1342 181 3 151 CI Podocyst Water 8 8 59 Surface CI Podocyst Benthos 68 165 292 CB Polyp Water Surface 1 8 CB Polyp Benthos 1 1

Figure 3. Settling plate image from the microscope showing a sea nettle nestled underneath two anemones. Hatched arrow points to the sea nettle while the open arrows point to two anemones. Conclusions

Based on the data collected, the presence of sea nettle polyps is concentrated in the northern part of Barnegat Bay. This corresponds well with the relative abundance of adult medusa in the bay (Bologna and Gaynor, unpubl. data). Northern Barnegat Bay has comparatively lower salinities due to the freshwater inputs of the Metedeconk and Toms Rivers. While ocean water flows into the northern portion of the bay through the Point Pleasant Canal, the region between these two rivers maintains lower salinity (Guo et al. 2004). Sea Nettles show preferences for lower salinity waters as they are mesohaline-tolerant and the northern portion of Barnegat Bay provides ideal environmental conditions. Additionally, they are tolerant of low dissolved oxygen which is often a symptom of eutrophic coastal bays. Barnegat Bay is a nutrient stressed system with harmful macroalgal blooms repeatedly present which can drive down dissolved oxygen concentrations at night when respiration is high. These blooms also contribute to excess fixed carbon biomass which is consumed by bacteria. The breakdown of the excess biomass is highly oxygen consumptive which drives oxygen concentrations to minimal levels. As a result of these environmental factors, sea nettle tolerance allows them to thrive in these conditions. However, the increased development in the northern watersheds over the last several decades has led to the replacement of salt marsh habitats with bulkheads and other solid structures. These ‘new’ surfaces may be providing additional substrate for sea nettle polyps and this ultimately may be the driving factor for the rise in sea nettle abundance in Barnegat Bay.

Outreach Activities

Several outreach activities occurred in conjunction with this project. Ms. Buesser presented an oral paper at the 2011 New Jersey Academy of Sciences Meeting and a presentation at the Jellyfish Jam. Dr. Bologna made presentations to the Save Barnegat Bay organization and the Jellyfish Symposium hosted by the Barnegat Bay Partnership, Ocean County Health Department, Ocean County Vocational and Technical School, Clean Ocean Action and Nelson Sailing Center in 2011. Drs. Bologna and Gaynor also conducted media interviews with the Asbury Park Press, WNBC News in New York and Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Inquirer discussing the research, findings, and basic biology of jellyfish.

Partner Development and Collaboration

We have worked with several individuals/Organizations who allowed us access to deploy the settlement collectors. These include Rutgers University Marine Field Station, Parsons Seafood/Biosphere, Cattus Island State Park, the Lighthouse Camp, and Island Beach State Park. Additionally, several residents of the bay offered the use of their docks for placement.

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