Ecology of upside-down jellyfish (Genus Cassiopea) populations and their potential as bioindicators to detect coastal nutrient pollution
Project Summary
Historically, research on upside-down jellies has focused on their life history and their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. However, the majority of such studies have been in laboratory conditions. In contrast, there is much less information about their field ecology. Recently, a couple of studies have tapped into their potential as bioindicators of nutrient pollution since their symbionts thrive on the nutrient availability. Also, high population densities of upside-down jellies have been linked with human activity in nearshore environments.
Hence, the overarching question of my project is: can upside-down jellies be used as bioindicators of nutrient pollution or other social disturbances in coastal ecosystems? This project is the missing piece in the upside-down jellies puzzle. The results of this project will allow a better understanding of how these unique jellies live in their natural habitat. Potentially, upside-down jellies can be useful for coastal zone management practices as a low-cost bioindicator.
Margaret A. Davidson Fellowship 2022-24
On August 2022, I was awarded the NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Fellowship to fund my dissertation project at the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR).
To hear more about my experience, click on the picture for an article written by Kristen Kusec at USF College of Marine Science.
To learn more about this amazing fellowship program, click here
This video won the Egret Award for Best Scenery at the 2022 National Estuarine Research Reserve System and Association (NERRS/NERRA) meeting in Seattle, WA.
Presentations
Field Experiment on Cassiopea polyp settlement: Insights into upside-down jellyfish blooms
N.B. López Figueroa, E. Stoner, P. Hallock.
Upside-down Jellyfish (Genus Cassiopea) populations as bioindicators of anthropogenic disturbances in Jobos Bay NERR, Puerto Rico.
N.B. López Figueroa, S. Di Geronimo. P. Hallock.
May 2023- International Cassiopea Workshop, Key Largo, FL-USA*
June 2023- Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Palma de Mallorca, ES.
August 2023 - Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR-USA.
A Scientometrics Review of the Genus Cassiopea. N.B. López Figueroa, P. Hallock.
May 2022- International Cassiopea Workshop Key Largo, FL.
Field experiment on the settlement of upside-down jellyfish (Genus Cassiopea) in a restored tsalt pond at JBNERR, Puerto Rico.
N.B. López Figueroa, P. Hallock, E. Stoner.
May 2022- International Cassiopea Workshop, Key Largo, FL.
October 2021- POSea Conference (virtual)
February 2021- Ocean Sciences Meeting (virtual)
*awarded best presentation
Publications
2024 - A Scientometrics-Enhanced Review of the Genus Cassiopea. Bulletin of Marine Science. In press.
2023 - Upside-down jellyfish as bioindicators of anthropogenic disturbances in coastal ecosystems, Nature - Tools of Trade
Puerto Rico Cassiopea Research Team
Project Advisors
Pamela Hallock, Ph.D.
PI and Faculty Advisor
ForCRLs
Professor at USF College of Marine Science
Milton Muñoz Hincapié, M.Sc.
Fellowship Mentor
Stewardship Coordinator at Jobos Bay NERR
Angel Dieppa, M.Sc.
Fellowship Co-mentor
Research Coordinator at Jobos Bay NERR
Luis Ortiz
Local Citizen Scientist
Chief Boat Operator at Jobos Bay NERR
Research Assistants
Aquaculture Specialist, Center for Research and Restoration of Marine Invertebrates (CIROM)
Project title:
Assessment of marine macrophytes in areas of upside-down jellyfish blooms (Genus Cassiopea) at Jobos Bay NERR
Aug 2022-2024
Aquaculture Specialist, Center for Research and Restoration of Marine Invertebrates (CIROM)
Project tile:
Effects of pelagic Sargassum accumulations in areas of upside- down jellyfish blooms (Genus Cassiopea) at Jobos Bay NERR
Aug 2022-May 2024
Senior Undergraduate student, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH)
Project title:
Characterization of macrofauna associated to upside-down jellyfish blooms (Genus Cassiopea) at Jobos Bay NERR
Aug 2022-Aug 2024
Collaborators
Sebastian DiGeronimo, M.Sc.
Institute of Marine Remote Sensing (IMaRS)
USF College of Marine Science
Data Analyst
Michael Schram, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Candidate, Fish Ecology Lab
USF College of Marine Science
Statistics Consultant
Ph.D. Student, Reef Indicators Lab
USF College of Marine Science
Foraminifera Specialist
Honors & Awards
*under this project
Dorothy L. Morgan Scholarship in Marine Science
Women In Leadership and Philanthropy
University of South Florida
Fall 2020-Spring 2025
Mcknight Dissertation Fellowship
Florida Education Fund
2024-2025
Field Research Award
South Florida Explorer's ClubSpring 2021
Norman Blake Memorial Fellowship
USF College of Marine Science Endowed FellowshipFall 2021- Spring 2022
Vembu Subramarian Marine Science Advisory Committee (MSAC) Award
Best Presentation
Category: Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Fellows
Conference: 2023 International Cassiopea Workshop in Key Largo, FL.
MAD Fellow Award: Mentoring
March 2023
Nominated by: Chris Katallinas, MAD Fellowship Learning Coordinator
MAD Fellow Award: Networking
October 2023
Nominated by: Milton Muñoz Hincapié, Fellowship Mentor at JBNERR
Travel Awards
Philanthropy
Recorded presentations
My presentation starts at 5:16
Presentation is available at the beggining of the video