ADVANCE Fellows Award: Environmental Effects on Variations in Jellyfish Population Size

该奖项为国际水母协会建立一个长期研究项目提供资金，该项目旨在研究环境(温度、盐度、猎物密度)对普吉特湾盆地水域水母(包括水母、水母和鞭毛虫)种群动态的影响。水母种群呈现出戏剧性的年际波动，其原因在很大程度上是未知的。PI将进行实验室实验，以测试温度、盐度和猎物密度的综合影响，并通过视频系统进行现场采样。最初的目标物种是唇形水母，其同系物是世界上最丰富的大型水母之一。这项研究意义重大，因为由于人类活动的综合影响，世界各地的水母数量可能正在增加。水母是浮游动物的重要消费者，通过直接捕食鱼卵和幼体、捕食者竞争和干扰鱼类捕捞，通常对鱼类种群和商业渔业有害。重要的是要了解影响其种群数量波动的因素，以便了解海洋条件变化可能产生的影响。这一先行奖将在关键时刻促进一位女性科学家的职业生涯。这笔投资可能会让她在一所新大学重新确立自己的职业生涯，在那里她将成为学生们的优秀榜样。此外，SPML有两个专注于本科生研究的强大项目，PI将作为导师和讲师参与其中。该计划、海洋科学少数民族本科计划(MIMSUP)和本科生研究体验(REU)SITE计划将使PI能够指导众多本科生。

This award provides funding for the PI to establish a long term research program on the environmental effects (temperature, salinity, prey density) on the population dynamics of jellyfish (including scyphomedusae, hydromedusae, and ctenophores) in the waters of the Puget Sound basin. Jellyfish populations exhibit dramatic interannual fluctuations, and the reasons for this are largely unknown. The PI will conduct laboratory experiments to test the combined effects of temperature, salinity and prey density in combination with in situ sampling with a video system. The initial target species is Aurelia labiata, whose congeners are among the most abundant large jelly fish worldwide. This research is significant because jellyfish populations may be increasing around the world due to the combined effects of human activities. Jellyfish are important consumers of zooplankton, and are generally deleterious to fish populations and commercial fisheries through direct predation on fish eggs and larvae, predator competition, and interference with fish harvesting. It is important to understand the factors that affect their population fluctuations in order to understand the possible effects of changing ocean conditions.This ADVANCE award will promote the career of a female scientist at a critical point. This investment is likely to allow her to re-establish her career a new university, where she will be an excellent role model for students. In addition, the SPML has two strong programs focused on undergraduate research in which the PI will participate as a mentor and instructor. The programs, Minorities in Marine Science Undergraduate Program (MIMSUP) and an Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site program will allow the PI to mentor numerous undergraduate students.