Beroe ovata
Common Name: Beroe ovata
Scientific Name: Beroe ovata
Phylum: Ctenophora
Class: Nuda
Other Taxonomy: Order: Beroida Family: Beroidae
Specimen #: 37
Circumstance: Observed online
Specimen Condition: Presumed alive
Location: Unknown (online)
Typical Habitat: Beroe ovata naturally inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters near both the United States and Canada as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and European waters. Beroe ovata has also been found in the East China Sea as well as the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Saltwater or marine.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Beroe ovata naturally inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters near both the United States and Canada as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and European waters. Beroe ovata has also been found in the East China Sea as well as the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Beroe ovata is a pelagic marine organism that swims freely in the water column.
Relationship with humans: In places where Beroe ovata occurs naturally, it is of little economic importance for humans. However, when introduced to the Black Sea in the late 1980s as a method of population control for the invasive species Mnemiopsis leidyi, B. ovata indirectly effected economic resources. By consuming up to 10% of the M. leidyi population daily, populations of zooplankton, ichthyplankton, and pelagic fish eaten by M. leidyi increased. Beroe ovata does not pose any threat of physical harm to humans as it does not have stinging tentacles commonly associated with ctenophores. However, the introduction into the Black Sea showed the ability of this species to completely and rapidly dominate an ecosystem. Unmanaged introductions could potentially effect pelagic fish and other valuable populations.
Feeding Mechanism: Beroe ovata primarily feeds on other ctenophores, including Bolinopsis infundibulum, Cestum veneris, Mnemiopsis leidyi, and various species of Ocyropsis. Beroe ovata is a non-visual predator. While foraging, B. ovata swims in a spiral pattern. The presence of prey causes chemokinetic responses in B. ovata which cause adjustments in swimming behavior. Beroe ovata also senses its prey by coming into contact with them while swimming. Macrocilia are employed to efficiently cut tissue from prey into a manageable size. Food is ingested due to the negative pressure generated when the ctenophore opens its mouth.
Sources: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Beroe_ovata/
Scientific Name: Beroe ovata
Phylum: Ctenophora
Class: Nuda
Other Taxonomy: Order: Beroida Family: Beroidae
Specimen #: 37
Circumstance: Observed online
Specimen Condition: Presumed alive
Location: Unknown (online)
Typical Habitat: Beroe ovata naturally inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters near both the United States and Canada as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and European waters. Beroe ovata has also been found in the East China Sea as well as the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Saltwater or marine.
Invasive? not invasive
Natural area of growth: Beroe ovata naturally inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters near both the United States and Canada as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and European waters. Beroe ovata has also been found in the East China Sea as well as the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Beroe ovata is a pelagic marine organism that swims freely in the water column.
Relationship with humans: In places where Beroe ovata occurs naturally, it is of little economic importance for humans. However, when introduced to the Black Sea in the late 1980s as a method of population control for the invasive species Mnemiopsis leidyi, B. ovata indirectly effected economic resources. By consuming up to 10% of the M. leidyi population daily, populations of zooplankton, ichthyplankton, and pelagic fish eaten by M. leidyi increased. Beroe ovata does not pose any threat of physical harm to humans as it does not have stinging tentacles commonly associated with ctenophores. However, the introduction into the Black Sea showed the ability of this species to completely and rapidly dominate an ecosystem. Unmanaged introductions could potentially effect pelagic fish and other valuable populations.
Feeding Mechanism: Beroe ovata primarily feeds on other ctenophores, including Bolinopsis infundibulum, Cestum veneris, Mnemiopsis leidyi, and various species of Ocyropsis. Beroe ovata is a non-visual predator. While foraging, B. ovata swims in a spiral pattern. The presence of prey causes chemokinetic responses in B. ovata which cause adjustments in swimming behavior. Beroe ovata also senses its prey by coming into contact with them while swimming. Macrocilia are employed to efficiently cut tissue from prey into a manageable size. Food is ingested due to the negative pressure generated when the ctenophore opens its mouth.
Sources: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Beroe_ovata/