Episodic records of jellyfish ingestion of plastic items reveal a novel pathway for trophic transference of marine litter

First evidence of jellyfish eating plastic :

A. Macali, A. Semenov, V. Venuti, V. Crupi, F.D'Amico, B. Rossi, I.Corsi & E. Bergami. tion of plastic items reveal a novel pathway for trophic transferenEpisodic records of jellyfish ingesce of marine litter, Scientific Reports (2018) 8: 6105.

Abstract

Invertebrates represent the most plentiful component of marine biodiversity. To date, only few species have been documented for marine litter intake. Here, we report for the first time the presence of macroplastic debris in a jellyfish species. Such novel target to plastic pollution highlights an under studied vector of marine litter along marine trophic web, raising further concern over the impact on marine wildlife.

Interaction between plastic debris and jellyfish. High resolution images showing a swimming mauve stinger P. noctiluca observed in the field (left) with a plastic lace of a famous cigarette brand among the oral lobes (white square, enlarged on the right).

Source: Figure 1 from : Episodic records of jellyfish ingestion of plastic items reveal a novel pathway for trophic transference of marine litter | Scientific Reports

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Taxonomy

• Marine
• Marine litter
• marine research
• Marine species