Ecophysiological investigation of sexual and asexual reproduction of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai.

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The giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai reproduces through sexual and asexual processes. In the sexual reproduction, medusae began to develop gonads in their gastric cavity from late June. Oocytes or sperm follicles appeared in the gonads from late July, and the number of oocyte increased and attained several hundred million per a female in November. Maturation of oocytes and sperm follicles rapidly progresses after medusae are physically damaged and are supported by the specialized gonadal epithelial cells which transfer nutrients from the gastric cavity to oocyte and sperm follicle. Asexual reproduction is carried out via dormant podocyst formed by a polyp. Podocyst stores carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids to maintain its dormancy for several years.