RT journal article
T1 From Sand to Bell: Novel Predation of Scyphozoans by the Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone Condylactis gigantea (Weinland, 1860) from the Western Atlantic
A1 Morejón-Arrojo, R.D.
A1 López-Figueroa, N.B.
A1 Hernández-Albernas, J.I.
A1 Rodríguez Viera, Leandro
A1 Stoner, E.W.
A2 Biología
K1 benthic–pelagic coupling
K1 citizen science;
K1 jellyfish
K1 marine food webs
AB Predation is a fundamental ecological process that shapes marine ecosystem dynamics. This study reveals a novel predator–prey interaction between the giant Caribbean sea anemone Condylactis gigantea and the two jellyfish species Cassiopea sp. and Aurelia sp., challenging traditional understanding of sea anemone feeding habits. Observations from citizen science platforms and field recordings documented C. gigantea successfully capturing and consuming these gelatinous marine organisms. The research highlights the trophic plasticity of C. gigantea, demonstrating its ability to prey on larger gelatinous organisms beyond its traditionally known diet. This predation event represents a possible benthic–pelagic coupling mechanism and underscores the value of citizen science in capturing rare ecological interactions.
PB Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
SN 1424-2818
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36383
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36383
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 13-nov-2026